Burns Supper
(Jenn and Suzanne at Burns Night)
“My heart’s in the Highlands, my heart is not here,
My heart’s in the Highlands a-chasing the deer –
A-chasing the wild deer, and following the roe;
My heart’s in the Highlands, wherever I go.” ~ Robert Burns
On January 25th, Scots, those of Scottish ancestry and poets all over the world celebrate the life and poetry of Robert Burns by celebrating Burns Night and hosting a Burns Supper.
I meant to post this yesterday, but since our -30 F weather hit, our connection has been sketchy at best. Now that we are past sub-zero temperatures, it seems to be waking up again! Hope it lasts!
January 25th is the birthday of Robert Burns, the famous Scottish bard and poet. Traditionally on this day those that celebrate their Scottish ancestry prepare a dinner of haggis, a traditional Scottish dish with neeps (turnips) and tatties (potatoes), recite An Address To a Haggis , a Burns poem, toast with whiskey (single malt) and spend the evening with family and friends, reciting the poetry of Burns and having a grand old time.
I have always been fascinated with Scottish culture, myth and history. I have studied it quite a bit over the years and have always felt a deep connection to Scotland. When I had the good fortune to visit Scotland several years ago, I kept experiencing déjà vu. Due to my interest in all things Scottish, I even hosted a fabulous Burns Supper many years ago. I had connections to NYC at the time and was able to procure a traditional haggis and prepared it with all the traditional trimmings.
My dad’s ancestors come from Paisley, near Glasgow. Although that is pretty much all I know about them. His surname is Barr, of Irn-Bru fame, although I don’t think there is any relation.
This year, after finding my birth family I came to learn that I have quite a lot of genetic Scottish ancestry as well. My maternal great-grandparents came to the USA from Glasgow, and through this lineage I am proud part of the Boyd Clan. I also have some Scottish ancestors through my genetic paternal line.
With my new found Scottish heritage, I decided starting this year, I am going to celebrate Burns Night every year, by preparing a traditional Burns Supper. This year, to kick things off, we invited our friend Suzanne, a haggis-phobe to join us for our Burns Supper. I was able to order a haggis from Scottish Gourmet USA . It was shipped frozen, over night. The haggis comes pre-cooked so it just needs to be re-heated, and the vegetables need to be cooked. The ingredients are simple, lamb, oats, beef liver and spices. While I was boiling the tatties and roasting the neeps ( I used rutabaga and turnips mixed) I went about preparing the dessert: Cranachan.
Cranachan is layers of Drambuie infused whipped cream, toasted oats and raspberries. I had some homemade granola which I used in place of the toasted oats. It is a light, yet delicious dessert and so easy to make! I did not get a picture of my cranachan, because we ate it too fast! But this one from BBC Good Food should give you the basic idea, and a delicious recipe to boot. We used raspberries that we picked over the summer and canned. It was delicious.
We started off with oat cakes, smoked salmon, cheddar cheese and a very un-Scottish glass of Malbec.
We presented the haggis, and listened to this roaring raucous version of the address at the table.
“Fair fa’ your honest, sonsie face,
Great chieftain o’ the puddin-race!
Aboon them a’ ye tak your place,
Painch, tripe, or thairm:
Weel are ye wordy o’ a grace
As lang’s my arm.”
~Robert Burns
Then we toasted with a dram of Glenlivet 12 year and dug into the food. It was delicious – and despite being a haggis-phobe and declaring emphatically many times that she does not like lamb, Suzanne really enjoyed the haggis. I wish her husband Bob had been able to join us (next year!), but he was away on business. But we got pictures to prove it!
We had an absolutely wonderful night talking about all our animals, crazy journeys in life, languages, cultures and many other assorted topics over several hours. We had a wonderful time and I can’t wait to do it again next year!
Becky at VintageMixer - January 27, 2011 at 12:19 pm
My maiden name is Burns and I’ve never heard of this before. My grandfather was even a Robert Burns! I will have to take on this tradition. Thanks for the wonderful post and idea.
Rosa - January 27, 2011 at 12:21 pm
A great meal and evening! Lovely poems.
Hail our British origins! ;-P
Cheers,
Rosa
Cat - January 27, 2011 at 12:34 pm
I am so glad you enjoyed your night…and kudos to Suzanne for trying the Haggis! I think a lot of people are put of by it because of its ingredients, but once you get past that, its delish!!! I use Haggis a lot, we just eat it with neeps and tatties on Burns night.
However, I use it to make Haggis pizza, a favourite here, AND, Chicken Balmoral, which I know you would love Jenn!
I have to laugh at your Irn-bru pick, I only drink it with vodka lol, its too sweet for me 😉 And, you need to come back to Scotland soon! It has been to long ♥
Suzanne - January 27, 2011 at 12:38 pm
HEE HEE! I can’t believe I ate the whole haggis! And it was surprisingly good. Jenn, your oat cakes with salmon were fabulous, as was dessert. I still can’t stomach whiskey though…
The Leftover Queen - January 27, 2011 at 12:55 pm
Indeed Rosa! 🙂
Yeah, Cat, I think a lot of people think that you are eating a sheep’s stomach too, which is not the case. They watched too many movies, I guess! LOL
I think I had chicken Balmoral when I was in Scotland, it is basically haggis stuffed chicken with a cream sauce, right? I should so make that with the leftovers! Haggis pizza sounds good too, but I am off pizza these days sadly. Yeah, I must admit, I never like Irn Bru, but I loved the ad! Made me LOL for real! And yes, we have vague plans to come again! Would love to see you!
kat - January 27, 2011 at 12:57 pm
I’ve been to one Robert Burns dinner in my life & it was pretty fun. My Scottish friends in San Francisco now host one every year & are looking to make their own haggis next year!
The Leftover Queen - January 27, 2011 at 1:00 pm
So funny Becky!
Suzanne! You were a trooper! Next time I’ll know about the whiskey! Sorry!
Kat, Yes, next year I will try to make my own as well. But we’ll see.
Jacqueline - January 27, 2011 at 1:04 pm
It sound like you had a great night Jenn. Loved the post. If it had been veggie haggis, I would have been over the moon to be presented with this meal. Just delicious.
The Leftover Queen - January 27, 2011 at 1:07 pm
Jacqueline! If you come over next year, I will present you with a veggie version! 🙂
bellini - January 27, 2011 at 2:25 pm
I missed the celebrations this year. I remember when I was in highschool and worked as a banquet waitress for a catering company “walking in” the haggis to the sounds of bagpipes.
Sue - January 27, 2011 at 5:01 pm
THIS is how completely clueless I am. When I saw the title of your post, I really thought it was going to be about how you had burned your dinner, because (I was imagining to myself) you just hadn’t felt like cooking and you were writing about how things never turn out well in that case. Well, obviously, I was thinking more about me than you (and OUR last meal) and I was delighted to find you had made a perfectly lovely dinner. Well done and that should stop me from jumping to conclusions!
Amanda - January 27, 2011 at 5:29 pm
What a blast!!! I didn’t realize you were interested in Scottish culture. You know I lived there until I was 16 right? I have an English mother and lots of Scottish family. What I really miss is a proper ceilidh. Wendy at A Wee Bit of Cooking always goes to them, and it makes me so jealous. I need to try and remember to do Burns night next year. It looks like you had so much fun!!
xo
Jan - January 28, 2011 at 3:13 am
What a fantastic evening you had Jenn – so pleased you could get haggis.
peter - January 28, 2011 at 12:34 pm
Jenn, I missed the Haggis at my local pub and I regret now that I’ve seen your pics. Offal never tasted better…other than at Greek Easter! 😉
Arlene (MOM) - January 28, 2011 at 2:24 pm
Wow, sounds like a fantastic evening. I enjoy traditional kinds of things too. What could be better for you than a Burns Night. Cool.
Toontz - January 28, 2011 at 6:45 pm
Our family was just talking about Haggis last night, what a coincidence. We took a poll as to who would be willing to try it. Two for, two against, one maybe. Someday maybe I’ll make it to your celebration.
nina - January 29, 2011 at 10:16 am
Since the last time I visited, the food has lost none of it’s wow factor. All the dishes look amazing!!
Angela@spinachtiger - January 29, 2011 at 10:44 am
You are always fun. I have friends who are of Scottish descent. They all have kilts and their son learned bagpipes. They to to lots of scottish festivals and it all looks like so much fun. I was surprised to find my non-Italian part (1/4) first came to America from Germany in the 1600’s. It’s all so fascinating to study these family trees, isn’t it?
Erica - January 31, 2011 at 12:18 pm
Those dishes look amazing!!!
Eliot - February 3, 2011 at 11:52 am
How adventurous! As an old English major, I was pleased to see all the Burns’ quotes.
crankycheryl - February 5, 2011 at 5:38 pm
You got Suzanne to eat the haggis!? And look at those fabulous pictures. Love it.
Henrietta - February 8, 2012 at 10:34 am
Website listed is the only Scottish museum in the world. They are located in Franklin, NC. I enjoyed your Burn’s night post! I was wondering how you came about finding your Scottish ancestors. My maiden name carrys some Scottish heritage but I haven’t found specific ancestors. My married name is pure Scottish, it is Blair. I love anything Scottish, even my email address means Scottish in Gaelic!;-) Anyway, thanks for your post!