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Scottish food has long been disparaged by people who say if it’s not deep fried or over-cooked, it’s not Scottish. However, Scottish food can be quite tasty if you give it a chance.

Here are seven Scottish foods that you should try before you die. 

1. Haggis

   

   This is the most well-known of all Scottish foods. It is made of the windpipe, lungs, heart and liver of a sheep; these are boiled and then minced. The meat is then mixed with beef suet and toasted oatmeal. It is then placed inside a sheep’s stomach and boiled. It does taste much better than it sounds.

2. Bridie

   A baked meat pastry. These are a folded-over circle of pastry filled with minced beef, beef stock, salt and pepper. If there is one hole cut on top if the bridie it means it does not contain any onions; if there are two holes on top it it contains onion.

3. Porridge

   
   

   This is basically boiled oatmeal. It is usually considered a breakfast dish in Scotland. The oats are boiled slowly on the stove top; they should be stirred constantly to avoid it from becoming lumpy. A small amount of salt is added during cooking. Porridge-making is taken seriously in Scotland, there is even the annual World Porridge Making Championships.

4. Scotch Pie

   A double-crust pie filled with ground meat. It is traditionally filled with ground mutton, pepper, and other spices. It is baked, although it is becoming common to be able to buy them deep-fried. Every year butchers compete in the World Scotch Pie Championship.

5. Arbroath Smokie

   
   

   This is smoked haddock. The haddock is smoked over hardwood until it is a golden brown color. Two haddock are tied together at the tail and hung over a stick above a smoky fire. It is smoked for about 45 to 90 minutes. It is often served with breakfast but can be enjoyed at any time.

6. Bannock

   Bread with the consistency of a scone. It is made with oatmeal and is cooked flat on a griddle. It’s then cut into wedges.

7. Stovies

   

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   This is a stew that consists of potatoes, onions, and left-over meat (usually sausage or roast beef).  The ingredients are cooked in the oven or on a stovetop. Beef drippings and meat stock are added, as are water, salt, and pepper. It’s traditionally made from the left-overs of Sunday dinner. It can serve a family for a week.

For all things Scottish, please visit Scottish Culture at BellaOnline.

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