The Famous Haggis
If you know anything about Scottish food, you've probably heard of the Haggis... but you may not know what it is. And first of all, let's be clear - in spite of many cartoons and caricatures, a haggis isn't a 'creature' but a food dish!In fact it may the most well-known and famous item on the list of traditional Scottish foods.The earliest historical mention of a haggis-like dish appeared in the 15th century.But it's believed that similar dishes appeared as early as the 9th century, or before.The haggis is made from a sort of sausage-meat made from the offal (or innards - lungs, heart, liver etc.) of a sheep. These are boiled, then minced and mixed with onion, lightly toasted oatmeal, suet, stock and salt and pepper. It's all mixed together and put inside a sheeps stomach which is sewn closed and then the whole thing is boiled for several hours.Now, I admit this may not sound all that appealing (and personally I don't think it even looks that good while cooking), but it's tasty and worth a try if you're ever in its' homeland.Haggis is traditionally served at a 'Burns Supper' (or on 'Burns Night') accompanied by 'tatties and neeps' (aka potatoes and turnips). Burns Night or Burns Supper celebrates the birthday (January 25) of Robert Burns, Scotlands' National Poet. Burns was so enamored of the haggis that he even wrote an entire poem devoted to it's splendors!And of course, no Burns Supper would be complete without the traditional and world famous drink.... Scotch Whiskey!