Owen's Food Alchemy

16/01/2024

Curried lamb shank.
Parmigiano mashed potatoes and peas. 😋

16/01/2024

"Spiced Up: How to Make Deliciously Spicy Scotch Eggs Using Beef Mince"

Scotch eggs are a classic snack that have been enjoyed for centuries, but sometimes it's fun to switch things up and add a little twist to a beloved recipe. That's exactly what we're going to do in this blog post – take the traditional Scotch egg and give it a spicy makeover using beef mince.

Now, if you've never had a Scotch egg before, let me paint you a picture: imagine a perfectly cooked hard-boiled egg, wrapped in flavorful sausage meat, coated in crispy breadcrumbs, and deep-fried to golden perfection. Sounds delicious, right? Well, we're going to take it up a notch by using spicy beef mince instead of the usual sausage meat.

But before we dive into the recipe, let's talk about the key ingredient – beef mince. This versatile meat is perfect for making Scotch eggs as it adds a rich and savory flavor that complements the spices and herbs perfectly. Plus, using beef mince as opposed to pork or sausage meat is a great way to mix things up and add some variety to your cooking.

To make these Spicy Scotch eggs, we'll be using some bell peppers, chilies, spring onions, ground black pepper, salt, and thyme in addition to the beef mince. The combination of these ingredients creates a delicious and well-rounded flavor profile that will make your taste buds dance with joy.

So let's get started! In a large mixing bowl, add the beef mince followed by the chopped green onions, diced bell peppers (yellow and red), chopped chilies, and a generous sprinkle of salt and black pepper. Mix everything together until well combined.

Once your filling is ready, divide it into four portions and shape them into tennis ball-sized balls. Next, use your hands to flatten out each ball into a thin layer, making sure to keep the thickness even throughout.

Now, for the fun part – wrapping the eggs. Gently place a hard-boiled egg in the center of each flattened beef mince layer and wrap it carefully, making sure to cover the entire egg evenly. Repeat with the remaining eggs.

To give our Scotch eggs that signature crispy coating, we'll be using the traditional flour-egg-breadcrumb method. Dip each egg into a bowl of flour, then into beaten eggs, and finally coat it with breadcrumbs. For an extra kick of flavor, you can also add some additional spices or herbs to the breadcrumbs.

Once all the eggs are coated, it's time to fry them up! Heat a large pan of oil over medium-high heat and carefully place the eggs in the oil. Fry for 8-10 minutes, turning occasionally until they turn a beautiful golden brown on all sides.

Now comes the hardest part – waiting. Yes, I know it's tempting to bite into one of those delicious-looking Spicy Scotch eggs right away, but trust me, it's worth the wait. Allow them to cool for a few minutes before indulging in their spicy goodness.

And just like that, you have a plate full of perfectly cooked Spicy Scotch eggs! The beef mince adds a rich and robust flavor to the classic recipe, while the peppers and chilies give it a delicious kick of heat. Serve these up as a snack or alongside some creamy mashed potatoes and steamed veggies for a complete meal.

So next time you're looking to add some spice to your life, skip the traditional sausage meat and give these Spicy Scotch eggs a try. I promise you won't be disappointed.

In conclusion, making these deliciously Spicy Scotch eggs using beef mince is a game-changer. The combination of flavors and textures will leave you wanting more every time. Plus, it's a great way to mix things up in the kitchen and try something new. So go ahead, grab your apron, and get cooking – your taste buds will thank you!

Using a spicy beef mince .my take on the Classic Scotch egg.

04/11/2023

New YouTube channel is live 💙❤️

04/11/2023

https://youtu.be/UrkX6ZHvoa8?feature=shared

Using a spicy beef mince .my take on the Classic Scotch egg.

04/11/2023

https://youtube.com/shorts/Emem0b_0Mo0?si=IxFveuZN2PxwPoA5

Time for the oven.

Inexpensive and tasty treats. 😋

04/11/2023

Cheap and cheerful.
Spicy hot turkey wings..
Complete YouTube video link to follow .

20/07/2023

Late evening sunshine and Plum ice cream.
Join me tomorrow, as I make a peach and apricot ice cream 😋

02/07/2023

Carrots and apple juice.
Apple juice is replete with antioxidants such as polyphenols. Drinking it may nurture your heart health and lower the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
Carrot juice also contains potassium, which has been shown to combat high blood pressure and increase antioxidant capacity. Though not guaranteed, consuming it may also help reduce the risk of heart disease.
Enjoy 😊

23/06/2023

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=194168493610253&id=100090513100014&sfnsn=mo

12/06/2023

Anti oxidant shot.
Blueberry red grapes beetroot and pineapple.

Beets are high in immune-boosting vitamin C, fiber, B vitamins, iron, manganese, copper, magnesium, and potassium, and blueberries are high in antioxidants.

Pineapple contains both bone-boosting manganese and inflammation-busting bromelain.

Early research shows that red and purple grape juices may promote cardiovascular health in some of the same ways as red wine. Similar benefits of red wine and grape juice include protecting blood vessels, decreasing the risk of blood clots, and maintaining healthy blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

24/05/2023

Chicken breast stuffed with asparagus oven roasted cherry tomatoes and goats cheese.
Served with rice snow peas almond and lemon zest.

Both the asparagus and the snow peas were grown locally.x

24/05/2023

Coming soon....
Chicken breast stuffed with oven roasted cherry tomatoes asparagus and goats cheese..

18/05/2023

Perfecting the OFC (Owen's fried chicken). 😉

15/05/2023

Pork loin stuffed with sausage mushrooms and herbs. Wrapped in presunto and topped with pistachio.
Mash potatoes
Herb sauce.

15/05/2023

Caramelised onion and Goats cheese Tart.

25/03/2023

I had some leftover Prawns and cod.
Fried with onion garlic chilli peppers and French beans. A touch of Harrissa .
On a bed of steamed rice.x

23/03/2023

Spring has sprung.

09/03/2023

Tandoori Duck Wraps

TO PREP
15 mins
TO COOK
40-60 mins
HOW EASY?
It’s so easy...
SERVES
4

Mint and Coriander Raita

½ cup coriander leaves
1/4 cup mint leaves
½ cup yoghurt
1 green chilli
Salt, to taste
½ teaspoon cumin powder

Tandoori Spice Blend

2 teaspoon Kashmiri chilli powder / paprika
1 teaspoon cumin powder
1 ½ teaspoon coriander powder
¼ teaspoon turmeric powder
½ teaspoon black pepper powder
½ teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon salt

Duck

2 Duck Breasts
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon lemon juice
Few drops vegetable oil

For assembly
4 large tortilla wraps
1 cup assorted salad greens (such as lettuce mix, rocket or baby spinach)
1 cucumber, sliced thinly
1 small onion, sliced
1 lemon, cut into wedges

METHOD
Add all the ingredients of the mint and coriander raita in a blender. Blend to combine and set aside.
Add all the ingredients of the tandoori spice blend in a bowl. Stir to combine and set aside.
Take a small bowl, and add 2 teaspoons of the tandoori spice blend. Add lemon juice, minced garlic and a few drops of vegetable oil. Stir to combine into a thick paste.
Preheat Oven to 190°C. Apply the tandoori paste on both sides of the duck breasts. Place skin side up on a lined baking tray or dish. Bake for 40-60 mins. Once the duck is cooked, allow to rest for 2 minutes before slicing.
To make the duck wraps, start with placing salad greens on the wrap. Top with sliced cucumber and sliced onions, then the mint and coriander raita. Add sliced duck, and wrap. Cut into half, and serve with the raita on the side, along with lemon wedges.

25/02/2023

Sourcing the bread, for a Monday lunch booking .

á antiga.
A fabulous Artisan baker.
All the breads are sour dough.
A fantastic selection of carefully crafted breads.

What great bread to partner, with my starter of Herb roasted tomatoes.

I will enjoy with working with Diogo and the rest of the team at á antiga.

24/02/2023

Fish Tacos.

Pescada fillet Spiced with,
Cumin Paprika salt Pepper Cayenne
Lettice
Carrot
Red onion

Garnished with
Avocado
Siracha mayonnaise

21/02/2023

Rebranding done.

As well as tasty food.
I'll be producing picture and videos of my new vegetable plot, here in Northern Portugal.
It's the easiest way to show how food goes from the earth, to the plate.

So I hope that you will join me in the next step of my culinary adventures.