Menus

What do you serve at a Burns night supper? This is entirely up to you or your host/hostess. Tradition dictates Scotch, of course, but even non-drinkers can have a rousing good time and undoubtedly a good meal. Beyond the national drink, the tradition again dictates Haggis. Haggis can be canned, frozen, made fresh if you are the adventurous sort , vegetarian, or if you are lucky your local sausage shop might be up to the task. Neeps and Tatties are the next thing on the list, known to those outside the UK as turnips and potatoes, boiled and mashed together, much better than it might sound. These are the basics and what follows are sample menus from years past. I believe I mentioned that you might find that certain foods prove to be a big hit and your group will elect to repeat those year after year. Nothing wrong with drawing from the past;  traditions, old and new are fine things!

THE BILL O’ FARE

Menu One

Cock A Leekie Soup
Vegetarian Haggis
Prime Rib of Beef
Champit Tatties (mashed potatoes)
Garden Salad
Hot Rolls with Butter
Tipsy Laird
Coffee

Menu Two

Cock A Leekie Soup
Vegetarian Haggis
Roastit Bubbly Jock (turkey)
Savory mashed Sweet Potatoes
Green beans
Hot Bread with Butter
Tipsy Laird
Coffee

Menu Three

Scotch Broth
Haggis (canned)
Tenderloin of Beef
Neeps and Tatties
Mixed Greens Salad
Hot Rolls with Butter
Butterscotch Apple Pie
Coffee

Menu Four

Scotch Broth
Haggis, canned and veggie
Neeps and Tatties
Balmoral Salmon with Cucumber Dill sauce
Savory Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Mixed Garden Salad
Whole Wheat Rolls with Butter
Cranachan
Coffee

Favorites

Over the years the favorites have come to the forefront:

Cock A Leekie Soup – the Scotch broth is just too hearty for a starting course for a sumptuous meal

Vegetarian and real Haggis – I prepare the veggie one and a guest that prefers the real thing brings his version, choices are good

Neeps and Tatties – prepared by the traditionalist that provides the real haggis

Tenderloin of Beef – chosen for ease and quick preparation, also a real favorite

Mashed Potatoes – for those not so inclined to turnips, although the turnip version is VERY good

Salad – again easy, quick and everyone likes it

Hot Rolls and Butter – because they go so well with everything

Tipsy Laird – hands down the favorite dessert, people were disappointed the years it was missing

Coffee – because, well it goes really well with Tipsy Laird