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All You Need To Know to Hold A Vegetarian Burns Supper
Burns Suppers have been part of Scottish culture for 200 years as a means of commemorating the life and works of poet Robert Burns. The traditional centrepiece of the Burns supper menu is the haggis -a meat dish. However nowadays there are plenty of vegetarian
versions available meaning you can celebrate Burns Night in fine style without compromising your beliefs or the authenticity of the occasion. Whilst a Burns supper can be held at any time, they are usually held on 25th January -the poets birthday.
Contents
- Introducing Robert Burns
- Countdown to the next Burns Night!
- The Burns Supper
- Bill O' Fare
- No Cock-a-Leekie Soup
- Vegetarian Haggis
- Buy A Ready Made Veggie Haggis
- The Tatties
- The Neeps
- Peaches and Whisky
- Recommended Products
- Robert Burns Clips
- eBay Latest
- Further Reading
- Amazon Recommendations
- Comments Please
- Other Lenses You Might Enjoy
Introducing Robert Burns
Robert Burns (25 January 1759 ? 21 July 1796) (also known as Rabbie Burns, 'Scotlands favourite son, the Ploughman Poet, the Bard of Ayrshire and in Scotland as simply The Bard'Andrew OHagan, "[http://books.guardian.co.uk/poetry/features/0,,2243038,00.html The People's Poet]", The Guardian, 19 January 2008.) was a Scottish poet and a lyricist. He is widely regarded as the national poet of Scotland, and is celebrated worldwide. He is the best known of the poets who have written in the Scots language, although much of his writing is also in English and a 'light' Scots dialect, accessible to an audience beyond Scotland. He also wrote in standard English, and in these pieces, his political or civil commentary is often at its most blunt.
He is regarded as a pioneer of the Romantic movement and after his death became a great source of inspiration to the founders of both liberalism and socialism. A cultural icon in Scotland and among the Scottish Diaspora around the world, celebration of his life and work became almost a national charismatic cult during the 19th and 20th centuries, and his influence has long been strong on Scottish literature.
As well as making original compositions, Burns also collected folk songs from across Scotland, often revising or adapting them. His poem (and song) Auld Lang Syne is often sung at Hogmanay (the last day of the year), and Scots Wha Hae served for a long time as an unofficial national anthem of the country. Other poems and songs of Burns that remain well-known across the world today, include A Red, Red Rose, A Mans A Man for A' That, To a Louse, To a Mouse, The Battle of Sherramuir, Tam o' Shanter and Ae Fond Kiss''.
(Burns Night is January 25, 2010)
The Burns Supper
Opening Remarks etc
The Selkirk Grace*
'Some hae meat and cannot eat.
Some cannot eat that want it:
But we hae meat and we can eat,
Sae let the Lord be thankit.'
*Not the most appropriate opening for a veggie night but I cannot think of a suitable substitute.
Following 'The Selkirk Grace' the guests stand as the haggis is brought to the top table. A piper leads the chef, carrying the haggis, while the guests accompany them with a slow hand clap. The Burns poem To A Haggis, is recited. When the line 'an cut you up wi' ready slight' is reached the haggis is cut open. The guest then toast the haggis with a glass of whisky. At this point the meal commences followed by;
The Immortal Memory
This is a short speech given usually by a special guest or organiser about Burns, his work and continued relevance today.
Toast To The Lasses
This is a light hearted address to the women present. It was traditionally an opportunity to thank the women for doing the cooking but as we now live in more enlightened times with women as likely to be guests as caterers, it tends to take the form of a lighthearted dig at the women. It should never be nasty or offensive in tone and should end on a conciliatory note. Not least because it is followed by....
The Response of the Lasses
Again this should be a lighthearted dig at the men. Not the next shot fired in the gender war.
This should be followed by the recitation of the guests favourite Burns poems and songs.
The evening ends with everyone standing and linking hands for Auld Lang Syne.
Bill O' Fare
Suggested Menu
Starter
No-cock-a-leekie soup
Main Course
Vegetarian Haggis, Tatties and Neeps
Dessert
Peaches and Whisky
No Cock-a-Leekie Soup
2tbsp olive oil
1 Onion chopped
1 clove of garlic
1 stick of celery
1 large potato diced
1 lb leeks,chopped
2oz red split lentils
2oz Pearl Barley, boiled
2 pts vegetable stock (I like Vegetable Oxo and Marigold but you can use any vegetable stock you like)
1 handful of fresh chopped parsley
9oz Soft Cheese with Garlic and Herbs (for vegans a vegan substitute can be used 'Sheese' do excellent vegan soft cheese)
Salt and Pepper to taste.
1. Heat the pan and fry off the onion, garlic, potato, celery and leeks until tender.
2. Add the lentils and vegetable stock and simmer for roughly 30 minutes.
3. Be careful here as sometimes the cheese can 'split'. To avoid this put the cheese in a bowl and add a few spoonfuls of the soup and blend to a creamy texture before adding to the soup.
4. Add the pearl barley which should have been fully cooked according to packet instructions before hand.
5. Season to taste and serve with a good bread.
Vegetarian Haggis
Great chieftain o' the Puddin-race!
Vegetarian Haggis4oz onion, peeled & finely chopped
2tbsp olive oil
1 stick of celery
2oz carrots, grated
2 oz mushrooms, finely chopped
2oz red lentils
1pint vegetable stock
1oz mashed, cooked red kidney beans
2 oz chopped peanuts
1oz chopped hazelnuts
2tbsp soy sauce
1tbsp lime juice
2tsp dried rosemary
1tsp dried thyme
1/2 tsp pinch cayenne pepper
2 tsp mixed spice
8oz fine oatmeal
Freshly ground black pepper
1. Pre-heat the oven to 190°C, 375°F or Gas Mark 5
2. Fry the onion in the oil for 5 minutes, then add the carrot, celery and mushrooms and cook for a further 5-6 minutes.
3. Add the lentils and three quarters of the stock.
4. Blend the mashed kidney beans in the remaining stock, add these to the pan with the nuts, soy, lime juice and seasonings.
5. Mix well and cook for 14-15 minutes.
6. Then add the oatmeal, reduce the heat and simmer gently for 15 to 20 minutes, adding extra liquid if required.
7.Fill a lightly oiled 1lb loaf tin with the mixture and bake for 30 minutes.
Buy A Ready Made Veggie Haggis
Vegetarian Scottish Haggis
Amazon Price: (as of 07/13/2009) 
Stahly's Vegetarian Scottish Haggis 15 oz
Amazon Price: $7.99 (as of 07/13/2009)
The Tatties
1 1/2 lbs potatoes, peel and chopped
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 Tbsp milk or vegan substitute
2 Tbsp butter or vegan substitute
Salt and Pepper
Put potatoes into a saucepan of boiling water. Add 1/2 teaspoon salt. Boil for 5 minutes then reduce heat and simmer, covered, 10-15 minutes, or until done.
Once the potatoes are boiled, drain, add the butter and milk and mash to a creamy consistency.
The Neeps
600g Swede, peeled and roughly chopped
4 tbsp butter or vegan substitute
2tbsp lemon juice
3cm ginger, peeled and chopped or ground ginger
Salt and pepper to season.
1.Boil the swede for 25-30 minutes.
Drain and add the other ingredients. Mash the swede and serve.
Peaches and Whisky
8 fresh peaches
1 cup sugar
2 cups water
3 tbsps single malt Highland whisky
cream
Soak peaches for 5 minutes in water, skin. Dissolve sugar in 2 cups water, boil.
Add peaches, heat gently for 15 minutes. Remove peaches, add whisky to syrup, boil for 5 minutes.
Cool, pour over peaches, chill. Serve with ice cream/ vegan substitute or frozen yoghurt.
Recommended Products
- MacSween
- The best veggie haggis on the market.
- Bute Island
- 100% Vegan Cheeses from Scotland
- Swedish Glace
- Good quality vegan ice cream
- Irn Bru- Scotland's National Soft Drink
- IRN-BRU, its PHENOMENAL
Robert Burns Clips
eBay Latest
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand by
Further Reading
Selected Poems (Penguin Classics)
Amazon Price: $10.20 (as of 07/13/2009)
Understanding Robert Burns: Verse, Explanation and Glossary
Amazon Price: (as of 07/13/2009)
The Collected Poems of Robert Burns (Wordsworth Poetry Library)
Amazon Price: (as of 07/13/2009)
The Letters of Robert Burns: Volume I: 1780-1789
Amazon Price: $293.00 (as of 07/13/2009)
Mel Bay The Robert Burns Song Book, Vol.1
Amazon Price: (as of 07/13/2009)
Amazon Recommendations
If you loved Poems and Songs (Dover Thrift Editions), you might also enjoy:
Robert Burns: Selected Poems and Songs by Robert Burns
LIVE (BURNS,ROBERT)0 points
Burns: Poems (Everyman's Library Pocket Poets) by Robert Burns
LIVE (BURNS,ROBERT)0 points
The Works of Robert Burns (Wordsworth Poetry) (Wordsworth Poetry Library) by Robert Burns
Robert Burns, the most celebrated of all Scottish more...0 points
Comments Please
nightcats wrote...
Great lens. I'm giving it a lensroll on my Robbie Burns Day lens.
Posted January 04, 2008
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