Burns Night 2010

25 January is the poet Robert Burns birthday. A national hero of sorts here, he is affectionately referred to by most as just Robbie or Rabbie. (Isn't it awesome that a country's national hero can be a poet??) Every year on his birthday most folks celebrate by having a 'Burns supper' of haggis and neeps and tatties all washed down by whisky. ('Neeps and tatties'= mashed turnips and potatoes, 'whisky'= Scotch)

Along with the eating is recitation of different Burns' poems. Most importantly 'Address to a Haggis'. This is recited before tucking into the haggis. I found a fun website that tells you more than you may ever want to know about it.
http://www.worldburnsclub.com/begin/address_to_a_haggis.htm

Now, what do I think about haggis? My Burns supper was the second time I had tried it. I think it is quite good. Slightly spicy flavours and a strange, but not unpleasant texture. Combined with the starchy neep and tatties and a dram (or two) of whisky, it is just what the doctor ordered on a cold, dark January night. Thanks, Robbie!

***The photo above is haggis and my own creation 'leeks and tatties'. (heehee) Not what I actually consumed at my Burns supper...didn't take pics at that, but wanted to show the general effect.

Pies

No, I am not talkin' apple or cherry pies, but savoury ones: steak pie, mince pie, pork pie, Scotch pie, and curry chicken pie--and many more besides. I love going to the supermarket and just gazing on the infinite variety of them available. I have had the curry chicken pie and it is really, really delicious. (Hmmm, in fact, I would like one now.) And incredibly cheap. And, I am sure, incredibly unhealthy!


The other "flavour" I have had is steak pie. This I have only purchased at the local chip shop. Of course, you are obliged to order it with chips. And gravy. Oh, and salt and vinegar. I think this meal may literally be a "heart attack on a platter". But so satisfying on a cold, damp Scottish day! And the chip shop owners are so happy to help assuage your guilt--on the walls are posters proclaiming chips are "delicious and nutritious!" Seriously. Followed by little facts about how a serving of chips has more fiber than an average serving of brown rice. Just makes me smile. And shake my head in amazement.

The Verdict

Well, I did it. For all those who wanted me to try them, I made my way to the corner shop and bravely bought a packet of Prawn Cocktail crisps. They were....drum roll, please....actually amazingly delicious! Not so much prawn-y (thank goodness!) as cocktail sauce-y. So a bit of savoury and a bit of sweet mixed with saltiness and crunchiness. I have to say, "Shrimp crisps, where have you been all my life?" Well, maybe not that, but they are by far my favorite flavour of crisp I've had here in the UK.

So folks the moral of the story is: don't knock it until you try it. I think that may be my theme with the rest of Scottish food and culture while I am here. And, hey, why not the rest of my life?

Crisp Counter

I am fascinated with potato chips (aka crisps) here. They don't simply have potato chips coming in potato flavours...oh, no, in fact they rarely come in potato flavours. So I have been happily experimenting. I wanted to set up a widget so I could keep track of all the types I have tried, but alas, I cannot find one nor figure out how to make my own.

Here is an old-fashioned list with my tasting comments:

1) Bacon strips--these are crisps shaped, colored, and flavored like little strips of bacon. Very strange, but real bacon flavor!
2) Roast beef and onion crisps--at Marks & Spencers there was a choice of this flavor or Wiltshire Ham. I am glad I went with the beef...It was like Sunday roast! Without any of the nutrients.
3) Roast Chicken--a particularly bizarre idea to me, but a Scottish classmate of mine was singing its praises so I took the plunge. And they were very good! Tasted a lot like chicken.
4) Worcester Sauce--these have been my least favorite. They are reminiscent of salt & vinegar, but with an extra sourness I didn't like. But definitely worth the try.

One flavor I see everywhere that I have been afraid of is Scampi or Shrimp flavored. It just sounds too revolting. But in the name of science (and to share with family and friends the experience), I am willing to submit my tastebuds to this possible monstrosity. Look for future crisp updates!