Haggis, Leek & Beetroot Lasagne

Image Leave a comment 07/02/2022 the wee caledonian cook

The Noble Haggis is a traditional Scottish dish, it is positively celebrated especially on 25th January each year, the birthday of Robert (Robbie/Rabbie) Burns whose 18th century poem ‘Address to a Haggis’ was instrumental in ensuring the Haggis’s place in the nations hearts.

Haggis is made from the meat & insides of sheep consisting of the heart, liver and lungs then combined with onions, oatmeal, suet, seasoning & spices. The mix is then stuffed into the sheep’s lining of the stomach and boiled. Haggis, Neeps & Tatties is the most common dish but I have been experimenting with what more we can do with this traditional food. This dish is definitely now on my Top list of comfort dishes, so filling, so satisfying & full of flavour.

Serves 2 large/ 4 small portions

450g Haggis, chopped into bite size pieces

300ml Creme Fraiche

150g Tangy White Cheese, grated

1 Leek, sliced

150g Cooked Beetroot (not pickled) – (dry with kitchen paper and using a kitchen glove, grate it coarsely)

Lasagne Pasta Sheets

Cracked Black/ Rainbow Pepper

Pre-heat the oven to 180 deg c.
Combine the creme fraiche and half the cheese, warm through in a pan on low heat to form a smooth sauce (do not boil as it will cause the creme fraiche to curdle), set aside.
Put a little spray oil in a pan and gently fry the leeks until softened. Add in the haggis and beetroot, mix through until combined and warmed through.
Pile half the haggis mixture into an ovenproof dish, arrange the pasta sheets on top, then the remaining haggis onto the pasta sheets and then another layer of pasta sheets. Cover the top with the white sauce, season with pepper and sprinkle over the remaining cheese. Bake for about 35 minutes until bubbling and golden. Remove & Enjoy.

Haggis, Leek & Cheesy Potato Pie

Image Leave a comment 18/12/2021 the wee caledonian cook

This is definitely one for my Top 10 home comfort food dishes.

Love it or loathe it, haggis is firmly established as Scotland’s national dish – to the extent that it has become an indelible part of the nation’s cultural identity, along with whisky, bagpipes and shortbread.

The savoury meat pudding – consisting of sheep’s offal (most commonly lungs) mixed with suet, oatmeal, onion and spices, then boiled in a bag.

“Gie her a Haggis” – Robert Burns helped popularise haggis in Scotland

The Burns connection goes back to his 1786 poem ‘Address to a Haggis’, in which he immortalised the dish as the “great chieftain o the puddin’-race”.

In the 232 years since Burns committed his love of haggis to poetry, the dish has become a symbol of Scottishness, and is traditionally served with neeps and tatties (turnip & mashed potato) – along with a dram of Scotch of course.

My local butcher Forbes Raeburn in Huntly makes amazing Haggis & inspired by a chef in Dumfries from the Caven’s Arms, I just had to give this dish a try. Their Haggis, Leek & Cheese Melt is so tasty. I am now curious as to what other flavours compliment Haggis so watch this space.

Serves 4

600g Haggis

4 Leeks, sliced

4-5 Large Floury Potatoes, peeled and chopped into chunks. I used Scotty Brand (you could also use King Edward or Maris Piper)

100g Grated Cheese, I use Cambus O’May Cheese as it has a creamy texture and strong flavour, perfect for Haggis (any good Cheddar would also work)

3 Tbsp Butter

Salt & pepper to taste

Cook the Haggis as per packet instructions.
Melt 1 tbsp of butter in a pan on medium heat and saute the leeks until soft.
Place potatoes in a pan of water, bring to the boil then simmer until soft. Mash with 1 Tbsp of butter. Season.
Pre heat your oven to 180 deg.
Spread the cooked haggis into a casserole dish, then layer the leeks and mix, fork the potatoes over the haggis mixture and sprinkle over the grated cheese. Season with some cracked pepper then place into the oven and cook for about 20-25 minutes until the cheesy potato topping is slightly browned and crispy.
Serve with some fresh vegetables for a nutritious and filling meal.

Haggis Scotch Eggs

Image 2 Comments 25/01/2019 the wee caledonian cook

Its Burns Night tonight (25th January)……..Happy Burns Night Everyone!

To help celebrate we definitely had to have our haggis, neeps (turnip) & tatties (potatoes) dish. However, I fancied doing something different. I have never tried a Scotch egg before so this was what I set out to do. OMG! these were absolutely delicious and very easy to make.

Makes 4

300g Haggis (Good Quality one)

240g Pork Meat

1/2 bunch chopped chives

Sea Salt & black cracked pepper

5 Large eggs – (1 for the dipping)

1/2 cup flour

60g fine breadcrumbs

60g oatmeal (you can blitz scotts porridge oats into fine crumbs for this)

Boil the eggs in a pan for about 6 minutes, then remove and place in an iced water bowl to stop the cooking process. When ready to use, peel shell.
Mix together the Haggis, Pork Meat, Chives & salt & pepper in a bowl until combined.
Get ready your little production line of whisked egg, flour and breadcrumbs/oatmeal mix.
Take a handful of the haggis mixture and mould into your hand like a cup and place 1 egg on top, take another handful of haggis and mould around the egg, doing this very carefully of course. You can use your thumb to help smooth the mixture over the egg.
Then place firstly into the flour, then the egg, then the crumb mixture.
When ready to cook, heat a pan of oil to around 170 deg. Cook for about 7 minutes until golden brown. Remove and pat excess oil off with a tissue.
Serve with neeps & tatties. Or whatever you like. A nice creamy whiskey sauce goes very well with this too. Find a recipe here:- Haggis Sauce

Black Pudding, Haggis & Apple pastry Rolls

Image Leave a comment 10/09/2017 the wee caledonian cook

Inspired by Scottish Foods and a visit to a food festival recently I decided to try these little rolls myself. So yummy!

Makes about 10 mini rolls

200g Stornoway Black Pudding

200g Haggis

2 x Granny Smith apples

1 shop bought ready rolled puff pastry (saves so much time)

Tomato or Brown sauce (whichever is your preference)

1 egg for wash

Salt & pepper to taste

Cook the black pudding and haggis as per instructions, about 4 minutes on each side.
Meanwhile peel off skin from apple and core, chop into small chunks. Caramelise the apple in a fry pan for about 15-20 mins.
Roll out pastry and cut length ways once
Once haggis and pudding are cooked, place in a bowl and mash up with apple and seasoning
Spread the pastry with your choice of sauce about 3 tbsp each length then fill the centre of each length with the pudding mixture
Brush the egg wash around the edges of the pastry then roll up the pastry and seal the edges. Use a knife of fork to seal gently.
You can now cut into the size you desire
I used my magic little Crisper plate to bake these but you can of course bake in a preheat oven of 190 deg for about 20 minutes. Using the crisper, preheat for 2 minutes on dynamic crisp setting. Bake on crisper for 8 minutes.
Serve….yummy!

Burns Night Recipes

Image Leave a comment 24/01/2017 the wee caledonian cook

Classed as the Best Scottish Supper of the year, with amazing local produce such a haggis, neeps and tatties to our Famous Scotch Whisky and our sensational Scottish tablet along with the bagpipes it is one amazing night celebrating the amazing poet Rabbie Burns.

Here are some of my favourite recipes:-

Haggis, Neeps & Tatties

Whisky Mousse

Scottish Cranachan

I have a love of bananas right now so I think I’ll be having my Whisky banana tomorrow.

100ml Scotch Whisky

100g soft brown sugar

100g butter

4 large bananas

Ice cream of your choice.

Melt the butter in a deep-sided frying pan over medium heat. Stir in the brown sugar and whisky. Bring to the boil and cook, stirring, until sugar has dissolved.
Reduce heat to a simmer. Add bananas and simmer gently until bananas are warmed through and glazed with the syrup. Serve immediately with vanilla ice cream.

Haggis Toast

Image Leave a comment 06/06/2016 the wee caledonian cook

Oh yes another Haggis dish, using up my leftovers, so tonight’s dinner is………………Haggis Toast! Yum! Quick, Tasty, filling and healthy.

2 slices of bread toasted to your liking. I like mine medium toasted!

Haggis leftovers cooked as per instructions and mixed with Beetroot Relish from http://www.everythingchilli.co.uk/, her relishes are so tasty.

Steam some spinach and lay on toast then top with haggis mix. Yummy!

The great thing about Haggis is, it is already spiced and peppered so no other seasonings are needed.

Haggis Omelette

Image Leave a comment 06/06/2016 the wee caledonian cook

Using up my leftover Haggis from yesterday, I decided on a wee breakfast treat this morning and not only did it taste amazing it also set me up for the day and kept me full for ages.

For those of you that don’t know what Haggis is, it is a traditional Scottish Dish simply containing sheep’s pluck, minced with onion, oatmeal, suet, spices, and salt, mixed with stock, traditionally encased in the animal’s stomach. Haggis is basically like an oaty, spicy mince and a great source of iron, fibre and carbohydrate with no artificial colours, flavourings or preservatives. Each haggis maker will have a slightly different recipe, Scott’s from Huntly is my favourite one though.

Makes 1

2 eggs – beaten

100 g Haggis http://www.craftbutchers.co.uk/butchers/index.php?ID=8&town=HUNTLY&county=Aberdeenshire&region=scotland

Handful Spinach

2 tbsp Beetroot Relish from Everything Chilli. http://www.everythingchilli.co.uk/

Tomatoes to serve (optional)

Beat eggs together and preheat a pan to medium to high heat, cook until just nearly ready.
Cook haggis in a microwave per instructions (normally for 100g about 1m 30 secs on high)
Mix the Beetroot Relish through the haggis, set aside
Steam the spinach
Place the spinach onto the omelette and top with the haggis mix, fold the omelette over and cook for a further 2 mins. Serve. Yummy!

Haggis with Beetroot, Apple & Chilli Pepper Boats

Image Leave a comment 05/06/2016 the wee caledonian cook

Looking for something different to do with haggis and having some Chilli relish in the cupboard with thanks to Lynn from Everything Chilli http://www.everythingchilli.co.uk/ and my local Food Assembly, I came up with this perfect match.

Haggis – 100g – I used Scott’s of Huntly (really tasty Haggis)

2 tbsp of Beetroot and Apple Chilli Relish

Assorted Vegetables to serve

1 Pepper (Colour of your choice)

Firstly pre-heat your grill to high and slice in half the pepper then chargrill the peppers until slightly browned.
Using a microwave on high level cook the haggis for approx 2 mins per 100g.
Mash up and stir in the relish until mixed through.
Remove the peppers and spoon the haggis mixture into pepper boats……..Serve! Yummy!

Happy Burns Night!

Image Leave a comment 25/01/2016 the wee caledonian cook

HAPPY BURNS NIGHT TO ALL!

Who is Burns and what is Burns Night I hear you ask?

It’s a night that features Whisky, Haggis and Poetry in honour of ‘Rabbie’ Burns our famous Poet from Ayrshire, Scotland.

Of all the poets who have written in the Scottish language, Burns is most well-known, although much of his writing is also in standard English and a light Scots dialect.

Burns, also known as Rabbie Burns, the Bard of Ayrshire and various other names and epithets is considered to be a pioneer of the Romantic movement.

After his death he became a great source of inspiration to the founders of both liberalism and socialism, and a cultural icon in Scotland and among the Scottish diaspora around the world.

Celebration of his life and work became almost a national charismatic cult during the 19th and 20th centuries, and his influence has long been strong on Scottish literature. In 2009 he was chosen as the greatest Scot by the Scottish public in a vote run by Scottish television.

To help celebrate here is my 4 course Burns Meal:-

https://cookingwithluce.wordpress.com/2015/05/03/homemade-haggis-and-chicken-pakora-with-sauce/

https://cookingwithluce.wordpress.com/2015/01/26/haggis-neeps-tatties-haggis-turnip-potatoes-lol/

https://cookingwithluce.wordpress.com/2015/05/16/scottish-chocolate-whisky-and-orange-mousse/

https://cookingwithluce.wordpress.com/2014/03/28/homemade-chocolate-dipped-shortbread/

His Famous Haggis poem:-

Address To A Haggis – 1786

Fair fa’ your honest, sonsie face,
Great chieftain o’ the pudding-race!
Aboon them a’ yet tak your place,
Painch, tripe, or thairm:
Weel are ye wordy o’a grace
As lang’s my arm.

The groaning trencher there ye fill,
Your hurdies like a distant hill,
Your pin was help to mend a mill
In time o’need,
While thro’ your pores the dews distil
Like amber bead.

His knife see rustic Labour dight,
An’ cut you up wi’ ready sleight,
Trenching your gushing entrails bright,
Like ony ditch;
And then, O what a glorious sight,
Warm-reekin’, rich!

Then, horn for horn, they stretch an’ strive:
Deil tak the hindmost! on they drive,
Till a’ their weel-swall’d kytes belyve
Are bent like drums;
Then auld Guidman, maist like to rive,
Bethankit! hums.

Is there that owre his French ragout
Or olio that wad staw a sow,
Or fricassee wad make her spew
Wi’ perfect sconner,
Looks down wi’ sneering, scornfu’ view
On sic a dinner?

Poor devil! see him owre his trash,
As feckles as wither’d rash,
His spindle shank, a guid whip-lash;
His nieve a nit;
Thro’ blody flood or field to dash,
O how unfit!

But mark the Rustic, haggis-fed,
The trembling earth resounds his tread.
Clap in his walie nieve a blade,
He’ll mak it whissle;
An’ legs an’ arms, an’ hands will sned,
Like taps o’ trissle.

Ye Pow’rs, wha mak mankind your care,
And dish them out their bill o’ fare,
Auld Scotland wants nae skinking ware
That jaups in luggies;
But, if ye wish her gratefu’ prayer
Gie her a haggis

Food and Drink in Scotland

Image 2 Comments 06/05/2015 the wee caledonian cook

To say that food and drink is at the very heart of Scotland would be an understatement. More than just a night out, Scottish food and drink is the very lifeblood of Scotland’s the country’s fabric, culture and economy.

With our rolling, rural hillsides, clear coastal waters and lush, fertile lands, Scotland produces some of the best, and most sought after, natural produce in the world.

From mouth-watering Aberdeen Angus steaks, to world-renowned sea-food such as wild trout, salmon, oysters and langoustines, not to mention our water of life – whisky – the Made in Scotland stamp has become synonymous with taste and quality. Even our cheese gives the French a run for their money!

Our natural larder

Produce

Scottish producers now grow 3,200 tonnes of raspberries and 21,500 tonnes of strawberries each year. Beef is worth more than £569m per year which is more than fruit, dairy and poultry combined.

Seafood

Scotland’s 16,000km coastline is home to thousands of species of fish and shellfish. In 2010, exports of fish accounted for over 59% of total exports in Scotland. Exports of fresh Scottish salmon alone in 2011 were valued at £341m. Scottish lobsters are currently used in over 20 Michelin starred restaurants in Tokyo.

Dairy

1,118 million eggs are produced annually, as well as 1,092 million litres of milk. There are more than two dozen cheese-makers across Scotland, ranging from large Cheddar creameries to smaller artisan and farmhouse cheese-makers. Scottish Cheddar accounts for 70-80% of total output and the main creameries are located at Locherbie, Stranraer and Campbeltown and on the islands of Bute, Arran, Islay, Mull, Gigha and Orkney.

Whisky

Between January and June 2011 global shipments of Scotch whisky reached £1.8 billion, up 22% compared to the first half of 2010.

Oatcakes

Scotland is famous for naturally healthy oat-based products such as porridge and oatcakes – the latter being first produced as far back as the 14th century when Scottish soldiers would carry a sack of oatmeal which they would moisten and heat on a metal plate over a fire when they were hungry. Today, they are commonly enjoyed as an accompaniment to soups, or after dinner with cheese and chutney.

Haggis

Scotland’s national dish, haggis, is a savoury pudding containing sheep’s heart, liver and lungs, minced with onion, oatmeal, suet, spices and salt, traditionally encased in the sheep’s stomach, although nowadays most haggis is prepared in a sausage casing. It is traditionally served with neeps and tatties (turnip and potato), particularly when served as part of a Burns supper. However, haggis is also enjoyed all year round with other accompaniments such as black pudding.

Tablet

Tablet is a medium-hard sugary sweet made from sugar, condensed milk, butter and vanilla essence, boiled to a soft-ball stage and allowed to crystallise. It dates back to the early 18th century.

Did you know?

Scottish food and drink exports hit a record high of £5.4bn in 2011.
Last year, the manufacture of Scottish food products and beverages accounted for 29% of all international manufacturing exports.
55 countries around the world imported fresh Scottish salmon in 2009.
Scottish farmed salmon has held the French Government’s top quality award, Label Rouge, for the past 19 years. It was the first non-French food to receive this accolade.

Homemade Haggis and Chicken Pakora with sauce

Image 1 Comment 03/05/2015 the wee caledonian cook

Serves 2-4

Pakora Batter

150g gram flour

200ml water

1/2 tsp chilli

1/2 tsp cumin

1/2 tsp gram masala

1/2 tsp Turmeric

2 cloves garlic or 2 tsp ground garlic

small handful coriander (chopped finely)

Pinch salt

1. Put all dry ingredients into a bowl and mix together, make a well in the middle and gently add water little at a time while stirring, continue to add water until you get a smooth batter, it shouldn’t be too thick or too runny. Set aside.

Haggis Pakora

1 x 500g McSween’s Haggis, but Grants and Halls are also good. (500g serves about 3)

1. Cook as per package instructions and let cool. Make into small balls and dip into batter.

2. Gently drop into hot oil and fry for about 4-5 mins. Drain and pat excess oil off with kitchen paper.

Chicken Pakora

1 x Chicken Breast

1. Cut chicken breast into small chunks and lightly fry in a pan to brown.

2. Add some tomato paste to the left over batter mix and stir through until it turns pink, dip chicken chunks into batter and then drop gently into the oil and fry for about 3-4 mins. Drain and pat excess oil off with kitchen paper.

Pakora sauce for Chicken pakora

50g tomato ketchup

2g Mint leaves (finely chopped)

100g Natural Yoghurt

Pinch salt and chilli

50ml milk

1. Mix all the ingredients together, slowly adding the milk to produce a thin sauce. Pour into dish and set aside until ready.

Chilli sauce for Haggis Pakora

1/2 tin chopped tomatoes

Generous squirt of tomato sauce

1 tsp pepper

2 tsp paprika

1 tsp hot chilli sauce

Squeeze of lemon juice

1 beef oxo cube

1. Mix all ingredients into a pan and simmer until the oxo cube has fully dissolved. Remove and allow to cool before serving.

Haggis, Neeps & Tatties (haggis, turnip & potatoes…..lol!)

2 Comments 26/01/2015 the wee caledonian cook

One of my favourite Scottish meals!

1 x Scottish haggis

2 large Potatoes, I used Albert Bartlett potatoes (yum)

1 turnip

pinch salt and pepper

50ml warm milk

1 knob of butter

Choice of sauce – the usual is whisky cream sauce but we’re not that keen, so a good old sweet gravy it is for us!

1. Cook haggis as per instructions, normally in a casserole dish at 190 deg for 1/5 hours.

2. Peel and dice potatoes and turnip,bring to the boil (in a separate pan) and then simmer for 25 mins, add in pinch of salt.

3. Once all cooked, mash potatoes with the warm milk and butter added so make a smooth consistency.

4. Also mash the turnip to a good smooth consistency.

5. Take a cookie cutter and lay on plate spoon in haggis first making sure it is well patted down, then lift the cutter up slightly but not out and then spoon the turnip on top of the haggis and pat down, repeat the same with the potatoes.

6. If you have any left over add to plate in your own design, pour over sauce and serve. Yum Yum!

BALMORAL CHICKEN

Image Leave a comment 18/08/2013 the wee caledonian cook

I love this dish, another one of my favourites.

SCOTTISH BALMORAL CHICKEN

2 chicken Breasts

4 slices Smoked Back Bacon

100g Haggis

10g melted butter

Salt & Pepper

Slice chicken Breast along length to form an envelope
Roll haggis into sausage shape and insert into chicken, then fold over to make parcel
Wrap bacon around chicken and brush with melted butter, then season
Put into tin foil parcel and place in oven on Multilevel at 200 deg for 30 mins.

WHISKY SAUCE

100ml double Cream

250ml Chicken Stock

2 tbsp of Whisky

1 tbsp of dijon mustard

20g butter

Mix Whisky with Chicken Stock and bring to Boil until liquid is reduced by half
Add in Mustard and Cream stirring continually
Add in butter and stir until it thickens and serve.

ALTERNATIVE SAUCE