What's the best way to cook haggis ?

[pubrunner]

Hi,

I've been given a haggis, I presume it is a superior beast, because it contains venison. The label on it advises, that it can be cooked by boiling, roasting or by putting it in the microwave. Usually, I prefer anything roasted to a boiled version of the same, but if I roast it, will it be too dry ? As for microwaving - does anything taste good from one ?

So how do you cook haggis ?

@Marmion - I'm expecting some good advice, from the 'Voice of Scotland'; or perhaps the more local culinary expert @Cycling Naturalist could make a suggestion ?

 

[srw]

Steam it. The skin isn't designed for eating, so applying more heat won't get any improvement. Microwaving works, but destroys the theatre as you need to disembowel the beast first.

 

[I like Skol]

All the ones I have ever had have been M&S's finest in a plastic skin with steel staples at each end. Simply boil in the bag or maybe steam, whatever was easiest at the time and as per the instructions.

 

[glasgowcyclist]

Always boiled for me. I don't like to microwave food so don't have one of those at home. Roasting a haggis seems an expensive way to heat it, if you're not roasting anything else in the oven at the same time.

 

[bruce1530]

Traditionally, you would boil.

Practically, it'll almost certainly be cooked anyway, so all youre really doing is reheating it, so the method doesn't really make much difference.

So if you want to do the full "theatrical" bit, boil it then attack with knife. Otherwise, microwave is fine.

 

[MossCommuter]

It's already cooked, you're only warming it up. Nuke it

 

[pubrunner]

Microwaving works, but destroys the theatre as you need to disembowel the beast first.

There'd be plenty of theatre, if it exploded in the microwave.

Unless I hear otherwise from a genuine expert (one born in Scotland ) I'll take heed of your advice and steam it.

Should I put anything on it to take away any possible dryness ? A drop of tomato ketchup perhaps ? A pint of guinness ?

 

[flake99please]

Burns night = theatrical = boiled

Casual eating = perfectly fine in the microwave. I would use a Pyrex dish (or similar) with lid so it retains the moisture.

 

[pubrunner]

[QUOTE 4568685, member: 259"]

Boil it or steam it and fry the leftovers.

[/QUOTE]

Good point ! It's quite a large example of the breed and after seeing the list of contents on the label (lungs etc) my better half has squeamishly decided that she doesn't want to try it - so there will be 'leftovers'.

 

[I like Skol]

Be a man and eat it at one sitting, I always have

 

[uphillstruggler]

I usually wrap mine in greaseproof paper, put it on a oven proof pot with water about an inch deep and cook it in the oven.

I use water to help reheat leftovers in a large frying pan and dress with poached egg

A mate of mine slices it, fries it and drops a poached egg onto it.

It's a tasty treat if you don't read the ingredients.

If it's a good quality one, I'm envious.

 

[pubrunner]

Be a man and eat it at one sitting, I always have

I'm not surprised at this ^^^, having seen the rate at which you can consume vast quantities of lager.

 

[GGJ]

As already been said, it's already cooked and you're only required to heat it. I usually do the boil in the bag thing but it's every bit as good from the microwave. Guess it all depends on the time you have

 

[welsh dragon]

The best thing you can do with one of those is to throw it in the bin. All the ones I have ever tried have been disgusting.

 

[Dirk]

Wrap it in cardboard.
Place in a pan of boiling water for an hour.
Remove from pan.
Unwrap.
Throw haggis away.
Eat cardboard.