BURNS NIGHT

This week Scotland and Scottish communities all over the World celebrate Burns Night. Burns Night is a celebration of the life and poetry of the poet Robert Burns, author of many Scots poems.

Have a look at this interesting website and meet Robert Burns himself !!
http://www.scotland.org/burns-night/interactive/

The suppers are normally held on the poet's birthday, 25 January. Around the world tributes to Robert Burns are held through the ritual of the Burns Supper. Originally started a few years after his death by a group of his friends and acquaintances, to honour his memory, the suppers are now celebrated annually on the date of his birth, 25th January. Here are the perfect ingredients needed to hold your very own Burns Supper.


Burns Night Menu
The centrepiece of any good Burns Supper menu is the haggis. This dish contains sheep's “pluck” (heart, liver and lungs), minced with onion, oatmeal, suet, spices and salt, mixed with stock, and traditionally simmered in the animal's stomach for approximately three hours. A tasty alternative for non-meat eaters is the vegetarian haggis. You can buy these from your local butcher, deli, supermarket or nearest Scottish store if you live overseas.
Traditional accompaniments to the haggis are neeps and tatties or as they are more commonly known - turnip and potatoes. These are normally served mashed.
Finally, to round off your Burns Supper menu, pudding might consist of a traditional Clootie Dumpling or a classic cranachan.


Burns Night Menu - What to drink
Whisky is the usual choice at Burns Suppers, either malts or blends. Contrary to popular belief, adding a little water to your malt should improve rather than dilute the flavour, although some whisky drinkers may not take kindly to watering down their drams! of the other.
If you don't like whisky, then robust red wines make a good accompaniment. Ales, lager, punch, Scottish fruit wines or soft drinks (perhaps Irn Bru, being Scotland's 'other national drink') are all alternatives.


Burns Supper Poems and Toasts
Traditional recitals on the evening include the 'Selkirk Grace' and the 'Address to a Haggis'. Other recitals on the evening include a speech commemorating Burns and a toast to the great man, known as the 'Immortal Memory', the 'Address to the Lassies' and of course 'The Reply from the Lassies', which are normally created especially for the evening.