As the Christmas lights fade and winter settles in, Burns Night on the 25 January is a great opportunity to bring cheer to your evenings – even in France. It’s a great reason to cook up an absolute treat and invite friends and neighbours to join you in this classic Scottish celebration with a tasty traditional haggis delivered to France.
The origins of Burns Night
Just in case your Scottish poetry history is a little rusty, a Burns Supper is a celebration of the life and poetry of Scottish poet Robert Burns (25 January 1759 – 21 July 1796), who often wrote poetry in Scottish dialect. A Burns Supper, which nearly always includes haggis, is normally held on or near the poet’s birthday (25 January / Burns Night) and it’s a tradition that dates back to 1801 when his friends first gathered to commemorate five years since his passing.
In fact, Burns Night is now so entrenched in the Scottish calendar that it is considered to be part of Scotland’s cultural heritage. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t celebrate Burns Night in France. Far from it. Burns Night is celebrated all around the world including in a number of places in France. After all, France and Scotland have a long history together, sometimes referred to as the ‘Auld Alliance.’
Haggis also has a long history, born out of the need to be resourceful and use as much of whatever was available to create a meal. Some have even claimed that haggis was invented by the French with the term ‘hag’ being similar to similar to the French verb ‘hacher’ which means to ‘to chop’ or ‘to mince’ – even more reason to enjoy it on Burns Night in France. Originally, a mix of offal and grains, haggis has now evolved into a much more sophisticated dish, with modern versions including vegetables, oats, spices and seeds.
Burns Night menu
There are no hard and fast rules on how to celebrate Burns Night and you can adapt your own Burns Night celebrations as you see fit. But there are a few common traditions.
First and foremost, include haggis, Scotch whisky and the recitation of Burns’s poetry. You may also have a starter – often soup such as Scotch broth, potato soup or cock-a-leekie. For the main course, mashed potatoes (tatties), mashed swede turnip (neeps) and black pudding are usual. And to finish, think cranachan – a Scottish dessert of cream and raspberries with Scottish oats and whisky, or tipsy laird (whisky trifle), followed by oatcakes and cheese, all washed down with Scotch, Irish or French whisky.
Add into this delicious mix, a smattering of poetry and a few welcoming toasts and you’ve got the recipe for a great evening.
And it’s very easy to bring Burns Night into your French life and cuisine…
How to have Burns Night in France – Traditional Haggis delivered to France
Why not invite neighbours and friends to come and celebrate this wonderfully quirky but cultural tradition. You could even suggest they choose a favourite poem of their own to read, it doesn’t have to be Burns.
When it comes to the meal, Bacon by the Box who deliver great British and Irish produce direct to France, will help. With their traditional Haggis delivered to France it’s easy to celebrate Burns Night! They also stock Baxters’ Scotch Broth and a high-quality traditionally made Haggis made by Lisduggan Farm, winners of the of Great Taste Awards UK 3 years in a row, and sixth generation farmers, so they know a thing or two about rearing great meat.
All their fresh produce is made fresh to order. Once customers put their orders in (weekly with a weekly cut of every Thursday at midnight) only then are fresh produce supplies prepared, so don’t forget to place your order in good time.
Bacon by the Box also sell Nairn oatcakes for your cheese, and porridge oats and custard for your cranachan or tipsy laird. If you want to opt for a truly blended cheeseboard, choose from their Celtic cheeses and add a few French cheeses into the mix. There must be a few poems about cheese after all?!
The French are keen on their whisky and there are a number of French producers such as the Celtic Whisky Distillerie and Armorik. French whisky has its own unique flavour, and many are aged in ex-wine or cognac casks, but if you don’t fancy that, you could opt for Cognac instead.
French boudin is perfect in place of black pudding and boulangère potatoes will do “reet well” in place of your “tatties”.
All made easy
Bacon by the Box delivers all over France and when you spend €150, delivery is free. So, if you’ve got friends in the area who fancy a taste of Ireland or home, get together for a collective order. A quick look at the Bacon by the Box website and you’ll see there is lots more to tempt you beyond haggis: think bacon and gammon, legs of pork and crackling, Fray Bentos pies and all manner of sweet treats from home (think Jammie Dodgers or shortbread). If you’re struggling to source vegan, vegetarian or gluten-free ingredients in France, Bacon by the Box can help with that too.
With no hidden costs, no customs charges (check out their website, where they list all their costs) and deliveries made weekly by certified vehicle, making your Bacon by the Box delivery part of your regular routine adds just the right serving of home into your French life.
So, Slàinte Mhath as they say in Scotland or Santé as they say in France, happy Burns Night.
You can find out more, or place your first order here: baconbythebox.com
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