Enhance Burns Night Haggis with One Surprising Ingredient for Extra Flavor
January 25 marks Burns Night, a celebration of Robert Burns, Scotland’s National Bard. This cherished event honors his rich legacy of poetry and music, including the beloved Auld Lang Syne. The first Burns Night took place in 1801, five years after Burns’ passing.
Traditional Celebrations with a Twist
The night is often celebrated with a meal of haggis and tatties, traditional Scottish dishes. On this occasion, chef Martyn, known as Lagomchef, introduces a unique twist by incorporating Irn Bru into haggis short ribs.
A Unique Recipe for Burns Night
Martyn showcased his innovative recipe through a video on TikTok, providing followers with a fresh way to enjoy this special night. He claimed, “What a wonderful alternative dish that is for Burns Night, using Irn Bru. That is a banger!”
Ingredients for Haggis Short Ribs
- 4 pieces of beef short rib (bone-in)
- 1 onion
- 2 carrots
- 4 sticks of celery
- 1 garlic clove
- 100g tomato puree
- 500ml red wine
- 500ml beef stock
- 2 cans of Irn Bru
- A few sprigs of rosemary and thyme
- 2 tsp cornflour
- 2 potatoes
- Butter
- Chives for optional garnish
Cooking Method
- Heat a large pot with a little oil and brown the short ribs until golden.
- Chop the onion, carrot, celery, and halve the garlic. Remove beef and sauté the vegetables until caramelized.
- Add tomato puree, fry for another 2-3 minutes.
- Pour in one can of Irn Bru and red wine. Boil rapidly and reduce by half.
- Add the beef stock and herbs, return to a boil, then simmer with the ribs submerged for 3-5 hours.
- After cooking, remove the ribs and sieve out the vegetables from the sauce.
- Reduce the cooking liquid by boiling it rapidly.
- Boil the second can of Irn Bru until it thickens just before syrup consistency.
- Combine the two liquids, season, and thicken with cornflour slurry.
- Prepare mashed potatoes.
- Serve short ribs with the Irn Bru sauce. Garnish with chives if desired.
Celebrating Burns Night Worldwide
Burns Night fosters a spirit of togetherness. Across Scotland and beyond, communities unite to celebrate with lively gatherings. The evening features readings of Burns’ poetry, traditional Scottish delicacies, and toasts with whisky. This special night not only honors the life of Robert Burns but also showcases the heart of Scottish culture.
This January 25, consider enhancing your Burns Night celebration with haggis short ribs made with Irn Bru—an exciting twist on a traditional favorite.
