Top Burns Night Recipes

It's Burns Night this Saturday (25th January), the perfect excuse for lots of food, plenty of whisky and the occasional poetry recitation. Feel free to indulge in a wee bit o' tartanry and Walter Scott-ishness this weekend, you're allowed. If the traditional haggis, neeps and tatties doesn't appeal to you, though, try some of our brilliant Scotland-inspired dishes instead.

The Burns celebrations can start at breakfast time, if you really want them to. Start the weekend with a fry up and add a few potato scones to the plate, instant full Scottish! Ours are gluten free so everyone can indulge. Kedgeree is a great option, and for a lighter than the traditional version go for our Thai-style or veggie ones. If you're more of a sweet breakfast fan, you want scotch pancakes, of course. Bannock with lashings of butter and jam would be a great way to start the day, too

Our stylish haggis and pomegranate salad is the ideal lunch, or starter, for the haggis-initiate. Scotch broth is a bit more filling, but always a hit on a chilly day. Cullen skink is is a classically Scottish, soft and comforting soup that you simply have to try.

Now, to the main attraction of any Burns Supper, the, erm, supper. We've got a round up of every type of haggis, and every butcher and supermarket will have some in stock right now. Not even vegetarians have to miss out! If you really can't be convinced to try that great chieftain o' the puddin' race, stovies or scotch pie will definitely leave you feeling satisfied. Steak pie would be great, too, use some Aberdeen Angus beef and a Scottish IPA, like Innes & Gunn.

For an authentically Burns Supper dessert, go for cranachan or clootie dumpling. I don't know a single Scot who'd turn down some chocolate whisky custard, either. Since Scottish cuisine is pretty much synonymous with deep-frying anything not fastened down, we couldn't disappoint you. How does deep fried Tunnocks teacake sound?

I can't believe we've gotten so far through a round up of Burns Night recipes without addressing the issue of "getting fou and unco happy". Let's talk drink, shall we? Whisky is the obvious choice. You can't go wrong by serving a Whisky Mac to your guests, or Nick's brilliant penicillin cocktail. Tempt gin drinkers with Edinburgh Gin.

After the toasts - To the Immortal Memory of Robert Burns, To the Lassies and the Reply to the Toast to the Lassies - you'd be forgiven for feeling a little peckish. Shortbread is always welcome, especially when it's topped with whisky brittle! Or, go for a full-out sugar rush with Empire biscuits.

What will you be eating this Burns Night?

Still hungry?! Check out our top ten recipe posts.