Scotland. See BBC article describing this more fully.
Haggis is a dish containing 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. Most modern commercial haggis is prepared in a casing rather than an actual stomach. I'm of Greek descent. If you think that the Scots are revolting cooks, you should try the Easter soup called 'mayeritsa'. That is another whose ingredients you are best left to wonder about. The Greeks really figured out a way to use the whole lamb; all that wasn't barbecued went into the soup It uses lamb lungs, liver, hearts and feet, though many Greek cooks also clean and use intestines, as well.
Note: This soup is traditional and ritualistic: while a freshly slaughtered spring lamb is roasted for the main course of the Easter feast, this soup, which starts the meal, is supposed to be made out of the remaining parts--the lungs, liver, heart, and intestines cook in a broth made from the lamb's head. Well, this recipe just isn't that pure. On the other hand, it really is lovely--like a savory rice pudding with little bits of lamb and parsley and a lemony tang. Just ignore the fact that you're using cornstarch to approximate the thickening you would have gotten from the entrails. This is a soup that is all about the joy of redemption, the richness of Christian living in Mediterranean communities, and just plain good eating. Serve hot to 4-6 people. It's also wonderful reheated--so long as you reheat carefully and don't curdle it.
For American palates, the recipe was modified as Haggis has also been.
Mayeritsa for Americans:
Haggis for Americans:
Ingredients
- 1 sheep stomach
- 1 sheep liver
- 1 sheep heart
- 1 sheep tongue
- 1/2 pound suet, minced
- 3 medium onions, minced
- 1/2 pound dry oats, toasted
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried ground herbs
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