Emergency Scotch Eggs


Last night I received some upsetting news.
It was one of those phone conversations that you never really want to have and at times it left me feeling a little helpless and incredibly sad.
It is not for me to elaborate anymore about this, 
it is how I dealt with it all that I found interesting
I don't know about anyone one else but in difficult times I do reach for the carbohydrates.
We all have a glass of wine too many when life throws a curved ball,
but sometimes there is more comfort in a tasty morsel than anything a crisp pinot can provide.

Last night I trundled up to the spar garage feeling incredibly fed up
and in true Golden Girls/emergency cheesecake fashion
I brought back 2 large Scotch Eggs, which I ate with some relish in front of the fire, watched by three trembling terriers  all hopeful for a few crumbs of their own.
I didn't share them.
I didn't want to.

Food does provide comfort, does it not?
For me it is a savoury fix that gives me a lift. 
Chocolate or Emergency cheesecakes, although wonderful, don't quite float my boat as much as they did with Dorothy , Rose and Blanche.

As a child, I remember sitting at the table with grandparents who knew all too well, what hardship was. They came from a generation that pawned a best coat on Monday so that they could eat until Friday, so even in their 80s they never , ever wasted food once it was lovingly prepared.
My Gran would invariably comment after a meal that
"that was tasty" or "I enjoyed that"
and as a child it was a valuable lesson to learn that food could be a pleasure and was Something that shouldn't be taken for granted
The flip side of that , is food can be a "fall back" when things are tough.
It's an immediate fix is it not.....? but don't worry folks
I'll draw the line at those two emergency scotch eggs last night................
You don't need to employ "tough love" and say sternly
"put the scotch eggs down..... and walk slowly away from the scotch eggs"

Later I will blog about the three new Black hens ( The Black Eyed peas) who have suddenly caused some interesting ructions on the field in some surprising ways............

54 comments:

  1. I reach for the chocolate or anything sweet when upset............mind you looking at me, I have been upset quite a bit recently!

    Gill in Canada

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  2. Take care John, whatever the new is, it always comes when you least expect it, I have just been weeping in the larder whilst trying to do the dreaded weekly shopping list.
    Life is a bastard is it not.
    And don't even get me started on the food wastage/appreciation stuff - last night left me breathless with rage and hysteria.
    Susan x

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  3. Sorry you had bad news John, big love to you and the person/s involved.
    yes you are right of course, I think the majority of us reach for "something nice" for comfort.
    I could imagine your dogs glued to your every move while you were eating. I can move my hand in arcs and watch my girls eyes follow the morsel I'm holding, in perfect unison.

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  4. I'm sorry you received some bad news--I'll hope things are okay... But you're not alone in indulging in carbs at times of stress or sadness, I do the same thing, and while I know I shouldn't, I just do, and probably always will.

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  5. There was me expecting your recipe for home-made scotch eggs.

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  6. Oh, 'scotch egg'. Now I understand... sort of. This bad news seems to go with the weather at the moment, doesn't it?

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  7. Sorry about the bad news. But for some of us on the other side of the pond what is a scotch egg?
    Best, Peter

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    1. Peter
      according to wikipedia
      "A Scotch egg, also known as an egg devil, consists of a hard-boiled egg wrapped in sausage meat, coated in breadcrumbs and deep-fried."

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  8. Sorry about the bad news and I totally understand the emergency carbs concept. For me it's pastry. "Step away from the sausage roll!"

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  9. I find that humble Yorkshire Puddings can be a great comfort - especially the bigger ones which - when fully risen - can be used as cushions.

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  10. Comfort eating is a no-no John, I do it and pile on the pounds like I was eating raw lard.

    Better to go and have comfort sex instead as it burns calories! Preferably not on your own!

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  11. Hot chilli cheese and tomato sandwich does for me. AND I have a plausible excuse for the wife when she sees me climbing into bed weeping...

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  12. Hot chocolate and cookies....everyone needs a little comfort at one point or another...with no guilt.

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  13. Carbs are my "upset" food of choice as well ... with lots of them mindlessly being shoved into my mouth. Hugs to you, John for your emtional upset xx

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  14. Mealtimes when I was a kid were formal and tense (speak when you're spoken to, mind your manners, etc.). I grew up to find meals stressful and, therefore, I do just the opposite of most people when times are tough. I stop eating. The only thing I might eat during stressful perios is an entire box of chocolate!

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    1. ah the forality of sunday tea!
      I hated it and still do to this day

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  15. I couldn't quite bring myself to try a Scotch egg during our trip to England last year, they looked so enormous! But being married to a chef, I fully understand the emotional importance of food. I hope those eggs hit the spot and eased the unpleasantness a bit.

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  16. That's very interesting because in moments of emotional crisis I tend not to eat at all and never reach for the bottle. I've never had a problem yet that would have looked any better through the bottom of a glass. Rather strangely, those are the moments when I sink into my treasured old movies and shut the rest of the world out. Better for me than pigging out I guess. I've never really understood the link between comfort and food.

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    1. I wish I was such a saint as you obviously are
      I am afaid I am just a normal person warts and all

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    2. I didn't say I was a saint John. I just said I don't eat and drink when I'm sad. It wasn't meant to be a criticism of you, just an observation about myself.

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  17. Very sorry to hear you've received bad news John. I'm not sure what I'd do - certianly not scotch eggs ! I think I get very calm and practical in the face of bad news though am a natural worrier.
    can't wait for news of the black Eyed Peas !

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  18. Anonymous11:45 am

    Ah yes..emotional eating... I eat when I'm sad, depressed, worried, happy, excited.. uh.. I guess I just eat lol. That explains a lot. Hope your issue resolves itself.

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  19. I believe that the stress I suffer during a crisis works off the calories I consume.

    Take care dear friend. Life can throw such crap at us, but somehow we find the strength to get through it all.

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  20. Thinking of you John.

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  21. Don't know what to say except sorry.
    Jane x

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  22. Meat in all its forms does it for me. Scotch eggs sound perfect.

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  23. Maybe I should put a scotch egg in my first aid kit

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  24. I am blessed that misery makes me starve myself usually (blessed?) But I definitely treat 'naughty' food as a reward for, say, having a hard or tiring day. My dirty food secret is chicken kiev and chips! though like a scotch egg.

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  25. In my large Irish Catholic Family it was PASTA that made us feel better. Being the oldest it was my job to whip up the big pot of noodles covered with butter for the other 5 at home. Ususally after dad had ago at us with words or a belt. And yes, we even made enough for him.

    Hugs

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  26. For me its a bag of crisps with a sandwich followed by a packet of biscuits.I was bought up on thigh filling food and it is a comfort. By the way comfort food has no calories, amazing !!!

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  27. John: You gotta' (or, I would hope that you would, anyway) keep your non-British readers in mind when you write your posts. However, since you replied to Peter, I won't have to Google "Scotch eggs"!

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  28. I not only indulge in a Scotch egg or two but I pour a nice glass of single malt scotch as well. Wouldn’t want me to choke on the bread crumbs would ya ?

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  29. I think the only thing my 90 year old mum still truly enjoys is food. She goes into copious detail about the meals she's had and how delicious they were.

    In an emergency I reach for someone I can talk to rather than food or drink, though a glass of wine or two can help.

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  30. Your preaching to the choir, John. Being Italian, I can pretty much substitute food for anything; religion, stress, sex, sadness, sex, financial woes, sex.
    I've been married a very long time.

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  31. I haven't heard much about the diet lately John - has it gone the way of all flesh? I too reach for the carbohydrates in times of stress though.

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  32. I love Scotch Eggs but if I had to choose between them and some cheesecake I would probably negotiate to have both!

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  33. John, you are constantly educating me. As Scott said, sometimes non-British readers need help! I've had a British pen pal since I was 16 (and I just turned 69 on Monday, so do the math!) and I spent 3 weeks in England several years ago. I studied British and medieval literature in college, and I worked for the British Consulate General in Atlanta for 3 years not so long ago. I have been an Anglophile since early high school. However, although I've seen the term in print, I have never known what a Scotch egg was! (hiding face in shame.) I had the vague idea that they were regular chicken eggs that came from some exotic Scots hens. So, I googled it, and now I wish I were back in Atlanta where there are some British pubs who might just offer this treat!

    Instead, I'll claim chocolate and bean with bacon soup as my comfort foods!!!

    Nancy in Iowa

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  34. Whatever works for you, John. I kinda like Chris' idea too!!

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  35. I got so wrapped up in my food response that I didn't address your news. I hope whatever it is can be healed/fixed quickly and easily, but I don't imagine life gives us many of those gentle problems.

    Love to you and yours,
    Nancy in Iowa

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  36. Anonymous4:15 pm

    John, quails eggs make good Scottish eggs. On a smaller scale as it were. You can always have four. If you must.

    When I need comfort my stomach shuts down. My appetite evaporates faster than you can say: Don't starve yourself.

    Hope your friends/family will sort themselves out. Unfortunately there are limitations to what we can do for others. Sometimes them just knowing that you are in the wings will be enough.

    U

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  37. There are times where i go to comfort foods, too. Often they are carbs, and i find that the food is usually hot. There are other times where i don't eat--depends on the bad news and if there are any tasks i need to do (e.g., death in the family usually finds me cleaning the house and preparing for out-of-town mourners).

    Sorry you got some bad news :(

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  38. Bacon. When it's a rough day at work, a bacon breakfast bun (aka Heart Attack in A Bun) is what get in line for.

    Hamburger bun, bacon, fried egg, slice of cheese, potato pattie, mayo and red relish. Yup, health grub to sell in a hospital.

    You can tell how bad a ward is by the nuber being sold to the staff.

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  39. A little bit of what you fancy does you good and in stressful times I'd say go for it. Tomorrow we can always get back on track.

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  40. Since Peter asked I won't have to what a Scotch egg is. I was thinking mmm what is that LOL... I hope your bad news can get better. :O)

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  41. Take care of yourself. You matter to so many of us. Scotch eggs? I haven't had them in many, many years and have to say that I don't miss them at all.

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  42. I hope everything's ok. Personally I always reach for the custard....

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  43. I hope everything's ok. Personally I always reach for the custard....

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  44. When I lived in NYC it was Scotch Eggs (or Meteoreggs, as we nicknamed them) and now it's fried chicken. While I dearly love chocolate and cake and pie, that's not what I use as shock absorbers. Steady on. I hope it isn't entirely terrible news.

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  45. My parents' solution to any problem was to "stick the kettle on." Therefore I drink a whole fucking lot of tea every day, but even more when I'm stressed. :) Tea = comfort. Yorkshire Gold, please!

    My (English) mother used to say she gave me milky tea in my bottle. I still don't know if she was telling the truth.

    You need to turn your blog into a book, by the way. Said by the person trying to write a memoir! :)

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  46. And PS, sorry about your bad news. Hugs!

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  47. *hugs* John.

    And yes, Food is my turn to when stressed, too. Which I really do too much. Which is why I could stand to lose a bit.
    Oh well. As long as we can be happy with ourselves.

    Have a better Friday and a wonderful weekend, John. ♥

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  48. was that with branston pickle.dratt I fancy a scotch egg I didnt realise.I must be homesick.

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  49. ok ok i'll make some Scotch Eggs!

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  50. Definitely carb-comfort for me too John...sweets don't do it, and neither does alcohol (truly can only have that glass of wine when I'm happy), but a bite of something savoury and warm goes a long way to comforting my sad heart. But then, there's always tea too!
    Hope whatever it was has resolved itself.

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