Scotch eggs with Pría cheese: the indulgence that spares no one

Scotch eggs with Pría cheese: the recipe that divides opinion

Can you call a dish healthy when it includes minced meat, boiled egg, cured cheese and fried breadcrumbs? The homemade recipe making the rounds these days says yes, as long as the cheese is Asturian and the breading is homemade. The star: a Scotch egg filled with Pría cheese.

The technique that surprises

It's easier to make than it looks: a boiled egg is wrapped in minced meat, given a heart of strong Asturian cheese and coated in breadcrumbs. Judging by the reactions, the result wins over even the most sceptical, even if some had never seen a boiled egg being breaded before. The homemade version simplifies the process compared with the traditional Scottish recipe, which usually fries a soft-boiled egg. Here, the advantage is twofold: you save time and gain in heartiness.

The price of Pría cheese's fame

The star ingredient is Pría cheese, an Asturian product that has gone from being virtually unknown to a gourmet pantry essential. But success comes at a price, and not just figuratively. In recent years the cost of these wedges has soared, to the point that fans recommend going for the "Magnum"-style sizes so the hit to the wallet hurts less. Alternatives like tres leches azul also hold their own, though it pays to compare before you buy.

Is it healthy? No, not by a long shot. It's an indulgence, and that's precisely why it's good that someone calls it "healthy food" with the irony it deserves. What is responsible is buying local, quality cheese, even if your wallet feels it. Enjoy your meal — the diet resumes on Monday.