'Vogelnestjes'

Vogelnestjes literally means birds nests. They are very similar to a  scotch egg, and always served with a tomato sauce.
A true Flemish classic.

Time: 30 min prep + 30 min oven 180°C       Serves 4 people

Vogelnestjes:

600g minced meat ( I used a mix of pork and beef)
4  eggs + 2  eggs
Dried Bread crumbs
Plain Flour
Nutmeg
Salt and pepper
1l Sunflower oil or similar

Sauce:

2 onions
800 g tinned tomatoes
80g tomato puree
1 tsp sugar
Dried Basil, thyme, oregano
Half glass of red wine
Splash of balsamic vinegar
Olive oil.

Served with mashed potatoes or homemade chips.

Hard boil 4 eggs, 9 min in boiling water.

Heat the oil in a heavy bottomed pot, with a +/- 30cm diameter.

Mix the meat by hand in a large bowl with 1 egg, 2 tbsp breadcrumbs, salt, pepper and nutmeg to a firm sausagefilling consistency. Divide into 4. Flatten each in the palm of your hand and form a ball around an egg.

Roll each of the balls in flour, tapping of any excess.

Beat the remaining egg. Roll a ball in egg, then in the breadcrumbs. Repeat for the others.

Use a slotted spoon to lower them into the hot oil. When they've got a golden colour on one side, carefully flip them over. When both sides are golden, put on some kitchen towels to take off the excess oil.  
Place on an oven proof tray.
Bake for 30 minutes in the preheated oven until cooked through.

Meanwhile make the tomato sauce.

Chop the onions and garlic.
Fry the onions in a little olive oil until soft. Add the garlic, and fry for another 2 minutes.

Add the tomato puree and sugar. Keep stirring.

After a couple of minutes add the wine and cook it out. Then add the tomatoes and 800ml of water.  Add all herbs and spices to taste, I tend to add a tbsp of each of the dried herbs.  Leave to simmer for at least 20 minutes. Thicken with a little cornstarch ( stir 1tbsp in a small glass of water, then add) if you like a thicker sauce.  You might have put it through a blender if you used whole tinned tomatoes.

When ready to serve cut the
Vogelnestjes in two and serve with a laddle or two of the tomato sauce.

Smakelijk eten!