Here's a recipe for the beloved Haggis of Scotland. In addition to the other naughty (read 'delectable') bits, the lungs are traditionally included in Scotland, but are omitted in the States as it's illegal to sell lungs in the U.S. Jerky is okay here. Celine Dion records are legal. But lungs are off limits. Some folks also think that liver shouldn't be used ... but, heck, if you're down with eating organs and innards what's the difference?
1 sheep's lung (illegal in the U.S.; may be omitted if not available)
1 sheep's stomach
1 sheep heart
1 sheep liver
1/2 lb fresh suet (kidney leaf fat is preferred)
3/4 cup oatmeal (the ground type, NOT the Quaker Oats type!)
3 onions, finely chopped
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1/2 teaspoon cayenne
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
3/4 cup stock
Wash lungs and stomach well, rub with salt and rinse. Remove membranes and excess fat. Soak in cold salted water for several hours. Turn stomach inside out for stuffing.
Cover heart and liver with cold water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer for 30 minutes. Chop heart and coarsely grate liver. Toast oatmeal in a skillet on top of the stove, stirring frequently, until golden. Combine all ingredients and mix well. Loosely pack mixture into stomach, about two-thirds full. Remember, oatmeal expands in cooking.
Press any air out of stomach and truss securely. Put into boiling water to cover. Simmer for 3 hours, uncovered, adding more water as needed to maintain water level. Prick stomach several times with a sharp needle when it begins to swell; this keeps the bag from bursting. Place on a hot platter, removing trussing strings. Serve with a spoon. Ceremoniously served with "neeps, tatties and nips" -- mashed turnips, mashed potatoes, nips of whiskey.
I suggest you'll need several rather large nips of whiskey.
5 comments:
YUM, YUM.....
I didn't think it would be so gray.
Is it good, or is the whiskey to drown the flavor?
I tried steak & kidney pie once...but I can't really do the organ meats without activating my gag reflex.
I admit I searched for the ugliest picture I could find. This one made me laugh out loud. I especially like the attractive greens placed lovingly beside the haggis.
But it is some ugly "food".
Is it good? You take a sheep's stomach and stuff it with a minced mixture of its other organs, plus oatmeal, onion and suet ... I think the whiskey is to get you good and drunk.
The plaid tablecloth was a nice touch...
I believe that tablecloth may indeed be clan Stewart tartan. And I believe the Scottish suffer one of the highest rates of heart disease as a population on the planet.
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