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Ocean City Today
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
HOROSCOPE
Serve mustard sauce for dipping mini Scotch eggs By Deborah Lee Walker Contributing Writer (Dec. 10, 2021) History is not always edged in stone; one might be surprised by the discrepancies. For example, are Scotch eggs really Scottish? Scotland, North Africa and India claim bragging rights to the precooked egg in forcemeat. What is for sure is Scotch eggs were originally heavily spiked with seasonings in an attempt to sweeten the often-putrefying meat. Turning the pages of time, most Americans have heard of Scotch eggs but have not had the pleasure of tasting one. The crunchy fried exterior that is encased with a layer of ground sausage and a surprise of a hardboiled egg is delicious indeed. Footballs celebrations are in full swing. The crispy, tasty appetizer pairs deliciously with a frosty mug of beer. Following are a few tips for scrumptious Scotch eggs. Quail eggs modify this dish into smaller portions. If one wants a runny yolk, simply cook the quail eggs for two minutes. If you prefer a well-done yolk, cook the eggs for three minutes. The most difficult task of this recipe is peeling the quail eggs. They can be stubborn, so allow a little extra time. The shorter the cooking time, the more difficult it is to peel them. Ground sausage can be replaced with chorizo for a spicier finish. Dried sage and crushed rosemary are common additives. A mustard sauce that consists of mayonnaise, stone-ground mustard, and fresh lemon juice is the finale to the tasty appetizer. Mini Scotch eggs are also a fun, passed hors d’oeuvre. Entertaining is about surprises and mini Scotch eggs with mustard dipping sauce will receive high-fives. Enjoy!
Mini Scotch Eggs with Mustard Dipping Sauce Mustard Dipping Sauce 1 cup mayonnaise 6 tablespoons stone-ground mustard juice of 2 lemons 1. Mix the mayonnaise, mustard and lemon juice in a small bowl. Transfer to a serving bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate until ready to serve. Mini Scotch Eggs 12 quail eggs 2 pounds ground sausage
DECEMBER 10, 2021
ARIES – Mar 21/Apr 20 Dig deep into matters of the heart this week, Aries. Explore ways to nurture a relationship or push it to the next level. Don’t hold back on love.
TAURUS – Apr 21/May 21 You may rediscover your love for a good book this week, Taurus. Ask others what they’re into and peruse the best-sellers lists for even more inspiration.
GEMINI – May 22/Jun 21 Gemini, you often trust your instincts regarding money, but this week you’ll be even more in tune with your finances. Your income could increase soon.
CANCER – Jun 22/Jul 22 ½ teaspoon ground sage ½ teaspoon crushed rosemary 2 chicken eggs 2 teaspoons water 2 cups flour 2 cups cornmeal 2 cups seasoned panko breadcrumbs canola oil for frying kosher salt and freshly gerund black pepper to taste fresh parsley for a garnish To Hard Boil The Quail Eggs 1. Bring a small pan of water to a soft boil. 2. Carefully lower the eggs into the water using a slotted spoon. Cook the eggs according to the doneness of the egg yolk preferred, 2 or 3 minutes. 3. When the cooking time is up, remove the eggs from the pan and place into a bowl of very cold water. 4. When the eggs have cooled, carefully roll them on a flat, hard surface so the entire shell has cracks in it. Peel the egg, rinse in cold water, and place on a plate lined with a paper towel. To Make The Scotch Eggs 1. Place ground sausage, dried sage and crushed rosemary in a medium bowl and mix until seasonings are thoroughly incorporated into the meat. 2. Have a small bowl of cold water next to you so you can regularly wet your hands to stop the meat from sticking to them. 3. Place 1 ½ to 2 tablespoon ground meat into the palm of your hand. Make an indentation into the ball, place the cooked quail egg into it, and finish covering the quail egg evenly with the sausage mixture. 4. Gently roll the egg for a smooth finish and set aside. Repeat this process for the remaining eggs. To Make The Breadcrumb Coating 1. You will need 3 medium bowls along with a plate. In the first bowl, add 1 cup of flour. In the second bowl, whisk eggs and
water until thoroughly mixed. In the third bowl, combine remaining flour, cornmeal and seasoned panko breadcrumbs. 2. Roll one Scotch egg in the flour until the entire surface is covered. Shake off any excess. Then roll the egg in the egg wash, allowing any excess to drain off. Lastly, roll the egg into the breadcrumbs. Lightly press the egg into the breadcrumbs to ensure a solid coating. Place the Scotch egg on a plate and repeat this process for the remaining eggs. 3. Heat canola oil in a large sauté pan over medium-high heat. Make sure there is enough oil to cover the eggs. Fry until a golden-brown crust is achieved. Remember, you are cooking raw sausage, so you want to make sure the meat is thoroughly cooked. 4. When the Scotch eggs are done, remove and place on a cooling rack. Place paper towels underneath the cooling rack to absorb any excess oil or loose breadcrumbs. While the eggs are hot, add a dusting of salt and pepper. The hot breading will act as a glue for the seasonings. Allow Scotch eggs to rest for 1minute. 5. Serve mini Scotch eggs with mustard dipping sauce on the side. Secret Ingredient – Smallness. “No one can grow if he does not accept his smallness.” – Pope Francis Crossword answers from page 36
Cancer, some shake-ups at work could be on the horizon. Right now there’s no telling what will happen, but preparation can ensure you’re ready for whatever comes your way.
LEO – Jul 23/Aug 23 Leo, if you have been thinking about changing jobs or taking up a new profession, now is the time to lay that groundwork. A new opportunity could surprise you.
VIRGO – Aug 24/Sept 22 Virgo, radical changes to your life are just around the corner. A big move or career change will shake things up for you and anyone in your household.
LIBRA – Sept 23/Oct 23 Someone connected to your job may be doing things you don’t agree with, Libra. It’s a sticky situation that requires patience, finesse and caution.
SCORPIO – Oct 24/Nov 22 Scorpio, channel much of your energy into making solid partnerships this week. This way you can call on your network whenever you need advice or a helping hand.
SAGITTARIUS – Nov 23/Dec 21 Sagittarius, research opportunities for a new business opportunity or promotion at your current place of employment. Now is a great time to take the next step in your career.
CAPRICORN – Dec 22/Jan 20 Capricorn, a midweek burst of energy makes a project you have been working on suddenly seem like a piece of cake. Enjoy the fruits your labors.
AQUARIUS – Jan 21/Feb 18 Repairs around the house may be on your mind, Aquarius. Once you tackle these issues, you can focus on more recreational tasks. Enjoy the well-deserved R&R.
PISCES – Feb 19/Mar 20 Pisces, creative project could take up much of your time this week. You’ll be so caught up that the real world may pass you by for a bit.
