Are you a fan of Scottish cuisine? If so, you’ve probably heard of Lorne Sausage, also known as Square Slice.
This delicious sausage is a staple in a full Scottish breakfast or can be enjoyed in a roll with sauce. But how do you cook it to perfection?
In this article, we’ll explore different cooking methods and provide step-by-step instructions on how to make your own homemade Lorne Sausage.
Get ready to tantalize your taste buds with this Scottish delicacy!
How To Cook Lorne Sausage?
There are several ways to cook Lorne Sausage, including grilling, pan-frying, and baking. Here’s a breakdown of each method:
Grilling: Preheat your grill to moderate heat. Remove the sausage from its packaging and place it on a suitable tray. Make sure to leave about 10cm of space between the sausage and the heat source. Grill for approximately 6-8 minutes, turning occasionally.
Pan-frying: Heat 1-2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Remove the sausage from its packaging and fry for approximately 6-8 minutes, turning several times. Lower the heat if required during cooking.
Baking: Preheat your oven to 200°C / Fan 180°C / Gas 6. Brush each side of the sausage with a little oil and place it into a preheated heavy frying pan over medium heat. Lightly press the slices to ensure an even color when searing. Cook for 5-6 minutes per side, turning only once. Then transfer to a preheated oven and cook for a further 5 minutes, turning the slices halfway through cooking time.
What Is Lorne Sausage?
Lorne sausage, also known as square sausage or slice, is a Scottish food item made from minced meat, rusk or fine breadcrumbs, and spices. It is a popular component of the traditional Scottish breakfast and is usually served as square slices from a formed block. Unlike traditional sausages, Lorne sausage does not use any casing to hold the meat in shape. It is typically made from a mixture of minced beef and pork, with a fat content ranging from 15% to 25% for standard Lorne and 10% to 15% for steak Lorne. The meat is seasoned with a blend of spices, including freshly ground black pepper, nutmeg, and coriander. While coriander is not intrinsic to the recipe, it is sometimes added to disguise the gamy taste of pork meat from pigs that were fed with additional fish bones and heads. The sausage is usually sliced and served in a morning roll with brown sauce or ketchup. Lorne sausage can be traced back to the late 19th century when metal tins used for baking and shaping food became cheap to produce and readily available. Today, Lorne sausage remains a beloved Scottish food item, with some butchers campaigning for it to gain PGI (Protected Geographical Indicator) status.
Different Cooking Methods
Lorne Sausage can be cooked using various methods, each with its unique flavor and texture. Let’s take a closer look at each cooking method:
Grilling: Grilling is a popular method of cooking Lorne Sausage. It gives the sausage a crispy and slightly charred exterior, while keeping the inside juicy and tender. To grill Lorne Sausage, preheat your grill to moderate heat, remove the sausage from its packaging, and place it on a suitable tray. Make sure to leave about 10cm of space between the sausage and the heat source. Grill for approximately 6-8 minutes, turning occasionally.
Pan-frying: Pan-frying is another popular method of cooking Lorne Sausage. It gives the sausage a crispy exterior and a juicy interior. To pan-fry Lorne Sausage, heat 1-2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Remove the sausage from its packaging and fry for approximately 6-8 minutes, turning several times. Lower the heat if required during cooking.
Baking: Baking is a less common method of cooking Lorne Sausage, but it’s equally delicious. Baking gives the sausage a tender and juicy texture with a slightly crispy exterior. To bake Lorne Sausage, preheat your oven to 200°C / Fan 180°C / Gas 6. Brush each side of the sausage with a little oil and place it into a preheated heavy frying pan over medium heat. Lightly press the slices to ensure an even color when searing. Cook for 5-6 minutes per side, turning only once. Then transfer to a preheated oven and cook for a further 5 minutes, turning the slices halfway through cooking time.
Grilling Lorne Sausage
Grilling Lorne Sausage is a quick and easy way to cook this Scottish delicacy. To start, preheat your grill to moderate heat. While the grill is heating up, remove the sausage from its packaging and place it on a suitable tray. Make sure to leave about 10cm of space between the sausage and the heat source to ensure even cooking.
Once the grill is heated up, place the tray with the sausage on the grill and cook for approximately 6-8 minutes, turning occasionally. It’s important to turn the sausage over regularly to ensure that it cooks evenly on both sides.
When grilling Lorne Sausage, it’s important not to place it directly under the heat source as this can cause it to burn or cook too quickly. By leaving some space between the sausage and the heat source, you can ensure that it cooks evenly and retains its juicy flavor.
Grilled Lorne Sausage is perfect as part of a full Scottish breakfast or simply in a roll with sauce. It’s a simple yet delicious dish that’s sure to satisfy your cravings. So why not give it a try and see how easy it is to grill this Scottish delicacy?
Frying Lorne Sausage
If you prefer to fry your Lorne Sausage, here’s how to do it:
First, heat a small amount of oil in a shallow frying pan over medium heat. Once the pan is heated, add the slices of Lorne Sausage to the pan. Cook each side for about 3 minutes until cooked, making sure not to overcook them.
It’s important to note that you should not use pre-frozen meat for this recipe as meat should only be frozen and thawed once. If you’re using frozen Lorne Sausage, make sure to defrost it in the refrigerator overnight before frying.
Once cooked, remove the sausage from the pan and serve immediately. You can enjoy it on its own, in a roll with sauce, or as part of a full Scottish breakfast.
Baking Lorne Sausage
Baking Lorne Sausage is a great option if you want a hands-off approach to cooking. It’s also a great way to achieve an evenly cooked sausage with a crispy exterior. Here’s how to do it:
1. Preheat your oven to 200°C / Fan 180°C / Gas 6.
2. Brush each side of the sausage with a little oil and place it into a preheated heavy frying pan over medium heat.
3. Lightly press the slices to ensure an even color when searing.
4. Cook for 5-6 minutes per side, turning only once.
5. Then transfer to a preheated oven and cook for a further 5 minutes, turning the slices halfway through cooking time.
6. Remove from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before serving.
Baking Lorne Sausage is a great option if you’re cooking for a crowd or if you want to prepare your sausage in advance. It’s also a great way to achieve an evenly cooked sausage with a crispy exterior without having to stand over the stove. Just make sure to use a heavy frying pan that can withstand high heat and transfer the sausage to the oven at the right time for best results.
Making Homemade Lorne Sausage
If you’re feeling adventurous and want to try making your own Lorne Sausage, here’s a recipe to get you started.
Ingredients:
– 1 lb (454 g) ground beef
– 1 lb (454 g) ground pork
– 1 1/2 cups fine breadcrumbs or pinhead rusk
– 1 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
– 1 tsp nutmeg
– 2 tsp coriander
– 2 tsp Diamond Kosher salt (do not use table salt or it will be too salty)
– 5 oz (1/2 cup plus 2 Tbsp) of water
Instructions:
1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef and pork.
2. Add the breadcrumbs or pinhead rusk, black pepper, nutmeg, coriander, and salt. Mix well.
3. Gradually add the water while continuing to mix until the mixture becomes sticky and holds together.
4. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least one hour.
5. Preheat your oven to 180°C / Fan 160°C / Gas 4.
6. Grease a loaf tin with oil or butter.
7. Press the meat mixture into the tin, making sure to pack it tightly and evenly.
8. Bake for approximately 45 minutes, or until the sausage is cooked through and has a golden brown crust.
9. Remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before slicing.
Note: If you prefer a steak lorne, substitute the ground pork with additional ground beef and adjust the fat content accordingly.
Making homemade Lorne Sausage can be a fun and rewarding experience. Experiment with different spices and seasonings to find your perfect blend. Enjoy!