Labels

Strong stuff



Burns Night is inescapable at this time of year.  From the ethical, locally sourced produce at Earthy to the mass market of major supermarket chains, haggis is all around.

I was interested to read a report on the BBC website that authentic haggis is a banned foodstuff in the USA.   The problem is one of its ingredients - lungs.  So when I was doing the supermarket shop today I did a quick ingredient check and sure enough, lungs are the first-named item.  

I was amused by the usual nanny-state instruction, 'Ensure product is pip[ing hot before serving].'  I liked to think that it might say instead 'Ensure product is piped in before serving.' 
 

Oh dear, I am such a bad blogger at the moment.  I have several excuses, one of which I'll show you shortly.
Labels:

Comments

  1. Sharon27 January 2013 at 20:49

    I do love haggis - I was bad though and never celebrated Rabbie Burns and had a pizza instead! I've never actually looked at the ingredients before, although I knew it was a list of undesirables - hasn't put me off - still tastes good though! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Linda29 January 2013 at 21:01

      I think Burns might have been partial to a pizza! We didn't celebrate at home either, tho daughter was playing clarsach and singing Burns songs at her university Burns supper.

      Delete
  2. RedPat27 January 2013 at 21:15

    Probably it is best to eat and not read the ingredients! ;-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Linda29 January 2013 at 21:02

      Yes, although I knew what haggis contains it hasn't helped me warm to it as a result of reading the ingredients and seeing them set out in black and white.

      Delete
  3. Linda W.27 January 2013 at 23:11

    Yep - sometimes it's best not to know the ingredients! That's how I feel about hot dogs. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Linda29 January 2013 at 21:02

      Ooh yes, hot dogs also have scope for mystery ingredients!

      Delete
  4. Michelle28 January 2013 at 00:15

    I must admit that I have not tried Haggis!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Linda29 January 2013 at 21:03

      We're fans of the vegetarian variety, but my children's school serves the real thing for school lunches and most of the children love it.

      Delete
  5. L. D. 28 January 2013 at 00:22

    Tatties is a new one for me. I have been calling them tators since watching the Lord of the Rings movies. Spuds works sometime. But we have never had a different name for them but potatoes. I guess fries and chips are two other names we all share.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Linda29 January 2013 at 21:04

      Tatties is the classic Scots name for potatoes. Your 'fries' are our 'chips', and your 'chips' are our 'crisps'!

      Delete
  6. Al28 January 2013 at 02:09

    I must admit, and I apologize if I offend your Scottish sensibilities, but I find the idea of eating lungs rather off-putting. I think it's something you have to grow up with. (Of course, it's probably healthier than much of the processed junk food we eat here in the USA.)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Linda29 January 2013 at 21:05

      Don't worry Al, no offence! I'm not a haggis fan. Tho is probably is quite healthy....

      Delete
  7. Gary28 January 2013 at 07:10

    We had vegetarian haggis, and although really quite good, it was a little salty. Neaps and tatties with onion sauce as well. Being vegetarian now, I do miss the meat one, lungs and all!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Linda29 January 2013 at 21:06

      The neaps and tatties and onion sauce alone would make a good meal. My mouth is watering!

      Delete
  8. Oakland Daily Photo28 January 2013 at 08:21

    I really like the idea of a Burns dinner. Haggis not so much. Is salmon considered an acceptable substitute? haha.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Linda29 January 2013 at 21:09

      The rest of the trappings are a lot of fun, tho they do take a lot of stamina. Salmon would be my preference too.

      Delete
  9. TheChieftess28 January 2013 at 21:24

    Can't say I'm drawn to this menu! Ditto Al!!! But happy Burns supper to you!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Linda29 January 2013 at 21:13

      Thank you - even tho we forgot to celebrate this year!

      Delete
  10. Kristie28 January 2013 at 21:36

    I've never heard of haggis...what is it exactly? I've never seen or heard of lamb lungs used as an ingredient...not to sure I would want too! LOL Call me one of those weird Americans! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Linda29 January 2013 at 21:16

      Not sure you want to know, Kristie, but Wikipedia describes it as "a savoury pudding containing sheep's pluck (heart, liver and lungs); minced with onion, oatmeal, suet, spices, and salt, mixed with stock, and traditionally encased in the animal's stomach and simmered for approximately three hours. Most modern commercial haggis is prepared in a sausage casing rather than an actual stomach". I must be a weird Scot, because I'm not enthralled by it.

      Delete
  11. Anonymous29 January 2013 at 18:05

    I'm not attracted to haggis, vegetarian or not...

    ReplyDelete
  12. Fay McKenzie1 February 2013 at 05:11

    I'm a fan, avoiding the small print. However having named the new puppy haggis, it's now a bit odd reading it on a menu. Possibly as alarming as reading 'lungs'

    Here's to a good year adventuring! Looking forward to reading your exploits

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular Posts