Scouse eggs
Try Simon Rimmer’s recipe for vegetarian Scotch eggs with a spicy homemade pickle.
Ingredients
- 6 free-range eggs
- 750g/1lb 10oz tofu
- 275²µ/9¾´Ç³ú breadcrumbs
- 250g/9oz vegetarian black pudding, finely chopped
- 1 garlic clove, chopped
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh mint
- pinch ground cinnamon
- 4 lemons, juice and zest
For the coating
- 100²µ/3½´Ç³ú breadcrumbs
- 100²µ/3½´Ç³ú polenta
- vegetable oil, for deep-frying
For the pickle
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 2 red onions, sliced
- 2 red chillies, chopped
- 200ml/7fl oz white wine vinegar
- 200g/7oz caster sugar
- 1 tbsp tamarind paste
- 1 small cauliflower, outer leaves removed, cut into small florets
- 2 tsp cornflour mixed with a little water to make a paste
Method
Cook four of the eggs in boiling water for six minutes, then refresh in a bowl of iced water. Once cool, peel and set aside.
Meanwhile, blend the tofu and breadcrumbs in a food processor, then add the remaining two eggs, the black pudding, garlic, herbs, cinnamon, lemon juice and zest, and blend together until smooth.
Carefully mould the mixture around each of the boiled eggs, making sure there are no gaps.
For the coating, mix the breadcrumbs and polenta together in a bowl until well combined. Dip each Scouse egg in the breadcrumb mixture until completely covered.
Half-fill a deep, heavy-based pan with vegetable oil and heat until a breadcrumb dropped in sizzles and turns golden-brown in 30 seconds. (CAUTION: Hot oil can be dangerous. Do not leave unattended.)
Deep-fry the Scouse eggs for 5-6 minutes, or until crisp and golden-brown. Carefully remove the eggs from the pan with a slotted spoon and set aside to drain on kitchen paper.
Meanwhile, for the pickle, heat the oil in a frying pan and fry the onion for 5-6 minutes, or until softened. Add the chilli and cook for a further 2-3 minutes.
Heat the vinegar, sugar and tamarind paste in a saucepan until boiling. Blanch the cauliflower florets in the vinegar mixture for 2-3 minutes, then remove with a slotted spoon.
Stir the cornflour mixture into the vinegar mixture and remove the pan from the heat. Stir in the cooked onion and cauliflower, then set aside to cool.