So, you’ve made it all the way up to the highlands and now the question looms in your mind, what should I eat? Why not try your hand at any of these traditional Scottish recipes, all sure to be delicious and a true Scottish experience!
Cock-a-Leekie Soup
Often called Scotland’s national soup, Cock-a-Leekie soup is a nourishing bowl of leeks and chicken stock – the perfect meal to greet you after a day out in the highlands! Originally made with prunes, James Martin’s traditional recipe calls for their addition too, though prunes are optional. This soup is best enjoyed on a rainy day from the comfort of your own apartment.
Stovies
What do you want after a long day? Comfort food that is easy to make – yes, please! Stovies is a Scottish comfort food that is simple but hearty, and saves on washing up as it is made in just one pot. The name originates from how stovies were cooked upon a stovetop. The ingredients you use can change – all you definitely need potatoes, onions, salt, and pepper. This recipe calls for sausage as well. Enjoy this simple meal with no fuss involved.
Scotch Eggs
Scotch eggs are the perfect edition to any picnic. Whilst you can find some cold scotch eggs in most supermarkets, nothing tastes as good as warm, homemade food. With this recipe, you can chow down on these delicious homemade snacks whilst taking in the views of Loch Ness. The combination of the breaded sausage meat and a golden yolk is guaranteed to make anyone happy!
Scotch Broth
Another traditional recipe that warms you through and through, this recipe is a famous and popular soup, using many ingredients grown on Scottish soil. The best thing about this soup is you don’t need to play by the rules when making it – if you have a few extra carrots or some leftover leeks, you can just throw them in and enjoy it warm.
Neeps and Tatties
A traditional Burns’ Night meal is made up of haggis, neeps and tatties. Admittedly, haggis may be too difficult to make from scratch but neeps and tatties can easily be made. For those who don’t know neeps and tatties are simply potatoes and swedes mashed together into a wonderful blend of flavours. Jamie Oliver’s recipe is delicious addition to any meal.
Scottish Fruit Bread
A collection of Scottish recipes would be nothing without some sweet recipes, Scottish people being famed for their sweet tooth. This recipe for fruit bread is recipe from Scottish-at-Heart’s nana, a website run by Scottish mother and daughter team Sue and Anne. A perfect treat to enjoy with some tea!
Scottish Tablets
Calling all those who like caramel, toffee or fudge! Here is a recipe for the Scottish version of those sugary treats. Tablets are similar to maple candy, crumbly in texture but with all the sweetness of toffee or fudge. It needs only four ingredients and will be polished off as quickly as it can be made!
Raspberry Cranachan
Raspberries and cream are the definitive taste of summer, so why not try out the Scottish version? Raspberry Cranachan is a creamy but tart dessert with the addition of whisky and oats to make it a true Scottish dish. This recipe tells you exactly what the best type of oats and cream should be used to make this dessert a fantastic end to a meal!
Finally, a couple of recipes from The Highland Club team themselves!
Shortbread
You need:
225g (8 oz) Plain flour
110g (4 oz) Caster sugar
110g (4 oz) Cold chopped butter
A medium egg
A teaspoon of water
Baking sheets and trays
Mixing bowl
Mixer or a wooden spoon
Decorating icing
Method:
Pre heat oven to 180’c (gas mark 4)/350’F
Mix flour, sugar and butter in a processor/by hand until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs
Add the egg and a teaspoon of water and mix again until it starts to combine together into a smooth ball. You can use your hand for this near the end
Flour the surface, roll out the dough to a thickness of a £1 coin and cut out shapes
Bake for 10-15 minutes. If using two shelves, swap the shelves over half way through
Don’t worry if they are slightly soft when they come out the oven – they will harden
Cool on a wire rack. When the biscuits are cold, decorate or eat with a slight sprinkling of sugar!
A Hot Toddy
Mentioned in Robert Burn’s Holy Fair, hot toddies are traditionally a remedy for a cold made with whiskey, lemon and hot water, sweetened with sugar.
You Need:
50ml Scotch Whisky
1 tbsp Lemon juice
1 tsp sugar
Boiling water
Optional:
Cloves
Cinnamon stick
Nutmeg
Method:
Pour whisky into your mug
Fill up mug with hot water
Add a teaspoon of sugar and stir until the sugar has dissolved
Add lemon juice and stir
Add spices if desired.
“Sit round the table, weel content, An’ steer about the toddy…” – Robert Burns
Post first published 6th June 2018