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Celebrating Burns Night and all things Scottish

Wednesday, January 22nd, 2014 by Abigail Donnelly

This week, around the world (but probably more in Scotland, I suspect) traditional foods will be dished up in celebration of Burns Night. The main event, taking place this Saturday, celebrates a famous Scottish poet, Robert Burns.

The feast is laden with haggis, which is a big sausage filled with minced heart and liver, spices and oatmeal. Traditionally it’s all stuffed into a lamb’s stomach lining – delightful! – but these days a sausage casing is used more often. Think of it as a sort of terrine, served up with neeps and tatties, which are bashed turnips and potatoes cooked in cream. Another traditional dish is cullen skink – what a name! – a hearty haddock and potato soup. I am sure a few whiskies are on the cards too.

I’ve never had the opportunity to try some haggis, but I love all the bits and pieces, so I’m sure I’ll quite fancy it. Our copy editor, Linda, lived in Scotland for a year and ate haggis quite regularly. She says it’s a little like boerewors and it tastes pretty good with tomato sauce, especially washed down with whisky from the nearby distillery, Edradour. Tour buses would stop at Edradour on the way to the hostel in Inverness (where Linda worked as a receptionist) and bring with them a free bottle of whisky. In winter the tourists dwindled, but the whisky didn’t, which meant Linda was always kept in good supply!

In the meantime, I might stick a few skilpadjies on the braai, the closest thing I’m going to get to anything wrapped in stomach fat. These morsels are so delicious as long as they’re seasoned with salt and freshly cracked coriander and cooked until the fat is crispy.

If you’re celebrating, please send us pics via Twitter (@Eat_Out) and enjoy!

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6 Comments

  • Ines Barker
    January 22, 2014

    Our Franschhoek Rotary Club are holding our annual Traditional Burns Night supper on 24/1/14 at 19h00 at Simonsvlei Wine Estate. A 3 course dinner with Black Bottle Whisky is offered. Guest speakers including Lady Sylvia Lark of Sky will be present. Contact Brian Rickard on 084 788 9589 to book for a spectacular evening and help to support our fundraiser.

    Reply
    1. Abigail
      January 22, 2014

      Thanks Ines. Have fun and enjoy the haggis. Regards Abigail

    2. Tricia Martin
      January 23, 2014

      Sounds wonderful. Pity I live too far away (in Centurion) to join you. (by the way, the correct spelling is SKYE).

      Regards, Tricia

  • Rob Hahn
    January 22, 2014

    Hi

    Just to let you know we will be hosting a Burns Supper on the 24th. We are starting with Cock-a-leekie soup, followed by a main course of rare roast beef, tradtional haggis, Neeps and Tatties ( mashed turnip & potato), buttered green beans and a red wine reduction. For dessert we will be serving steamed green fig and whisky pudding.

    Regards
    Rob Hahn
    eat@simonsvlei

    Reply
    1. Gillian Ross
      January 24, 2014

      Hi where is this? I am from scotland have just moved here last year and am desperate for some home food!!

  • Claire Alexander
    November 28, 2016

    Hi Gillian, you can contact myself claire@firecracker.pro or check out our website http://www.firecracker.pro – we’re the organisers of the biggest (and best) Burns night on the African continent, hosting hosting 370 pax at the Kelvingrove in Newlands 🙂

    Reply

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