Scotch Eggs

Homemade Scotch eggs are a world away from shop bought versions. They're worth the effort for a special picnic treat.

4 large free-range eggs
275g/10oz sausage meat
1 tsp fresh thyme leaves
1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
1 spring onion, very finely chopped
salt and freshly ground black pepper
125g/4oz plain flour, seasoned with salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 free-range egg, beaten
125g/4oz breadcrumbs
vegetable oil, for deep frying

Place the eggs, still in their shells, in a pan of cold salted water.
Place over a high heat and bring to the boil, then reduce the heat to simmer for exactly nine minutes.
Drain and cool the eggs under cold running water, then peel.
Mix the sausage meat with the thyme, parsley and spring onion in a bowl and season well with salt and freshly ground black pepper (Simon recommends being generous with the freshly ground black pepper).
Divide the sausage meat mixture into four and flatten each out on a clean surface into ovals about 12.5cm/5in long and 7.5cm/3in at its widest point.
Place the seasoned flour onto a plate, then dredge each boiled egg in the flour.
Place each onto a sausage meat oval, then wrap the sausage meat around each egg. Make sure the coating is smooth and completely covers each egg.
Dip each sausage meat-coated egg in the beaten egg, rolling to coat completely, then dip and roll into the breadcrumbs to completely cover.
Heat the oil in a deep heavy-bottomed pan, until a breadcrumb sizzles and turns brown when dropped into it. (CAUTION: hot oil can be dangerous. Do not leave unattended.)
Carefully place each scotch egg into the hot oil and deep-fry for 8-10 minutes, until golden and crisp and the sausage meat is completely cooked.
Carefully remove from the oil with a slotted spoon and drain on kitchen paper.
Serve cool.