Born over 220 years ago, today marks the birth of one of Scotland's most applauded poets, Robert Burns. A pivotal figure in shaping Scottish culture with his wisely chosen words, his most famous works include the New Year's Eve favourite, Auld Lang Syne, and even an address to the national dish that is Haggis.
As our friends to the North host their celebrations with recitals of Robert Burns' poetry, we've teamed up with Wild and Game, who featured in our latest edition of The Lodger, in order to provide you with this timely and delicious Haggis recipe.
Ingredients
For the haggis
500g Wild and Game minced venison
300g lambs’ liver, chopped into small pieces
1 large onion, finely diced
1 tsp ground coriander
1-2 tsp ground black pepper depending on taste
Half a tsp ground nutmeg
Half a tsp ground allspice
1 tsp sea salt
A knob of butter
A glug of vegetable oil
2 tsp dried thyme
150g coarse oatmeal
500ml beef stock
For the tatties and neeps (potato and swede)
400g swede, diced
550g potato, diced
Salt
Pepper
5 tbsp vegetable oil plus a little to oil the baking sheet
A handful of fresh thyme
To serve
3 handfuls kale, coarsely sliced
Butter
Method
1. Pre-heat the oven to gas mark 7, 225 degrees C.
2. Meanwhile, heat the knob of butter and glug of oil in a casserole dish,
Dutch oven, or similar hob to oven lidded pan and fry the onion until
soft.
3. Add the liver and cook for 5 minutes.
4. Transfer the liver and onion mixture to a food processor and briefly
whizz until it’s finely chopped but not a paste.
5. Return to the pan with a little extra oil and add the venison. Cook until
browned.
6. Add the nutmeg, thyme, allspice, coriander, salt, and pepper, and cook
for a minute.
7. Add the oatmeal and the stock and heat until bubbling.
8. Place in the oven for 15 minutes with the lid on, stirring
occasionally, and while it’s cooking, start making the tatties and neeps
(see below). After 10 minutes, remove the lid from the haggis and cook for
a further 5 minutes with the lid off. The mixture should be quite dry by
the end. When done, remove from the oven, adjust the seasoning, and set
aside while you complete the tatties and neeps. If you need to warm up the
haggis later, you can do so on the hob.
9. While the haggis is cooking, place the swede and potato in a pan of
boiling salted water, bring to the boil, and bubble for 5 minutes. Drain
and leave in the colander for a minute or two to dry out.
10. Put the swede and potato back in the pan and add the 5 tbsp of oil. Put
the lid on the pan and shake until combined.
11. Tip onto an oiled baking sheet, add the thyme, salt, and pepper, and
place in the oven for about 20-25 minutes, turning occasionally.
12. Finally, steam the kale for 6 minutes, top with a little butter, and
serve with the tatties, neeps, and haggis.