Foodie Friday: Scotland Edition

A month of not cooking, brought some great food, and a lot of average food.  For the most part we found the offerings in Scotland to be creative, hearty, and tasty.  As I mentioned before I had my first Pub Sunday Roast Dinner, roast beef (that was a little tough) mashed potatoes, roast carrots and parsnips, broccolini. It was good, and the experience was memorable.  

Some of the best Indian food I have ever had. Tasty, mild, I had a chicken dish in a yogurt based sauce that was delightful 

We didn't stop into Timmys, but I was surprised to see them expanded into Scotland. 

I believe this is Angus's favorite bakery in St. Andrews. Even mid-afternoon there was a queue for service.  

Haggis, Nips Neeps and Tatties, I couldn't visit Scotland without savoring the national dish.  As one local described it, the English would take all of the good parts of the sheep, and leave we Scots to make the best of what was left.  Traditionally this is made with organ meats, onions, oats and spices, simmered into sort of a sausage or meatloaf (wetter than meat loaf or sausage.) Modern recipes replace organ meats with ground lamb, beef, pork, mixed with chopped onions, and spices, poached in a cooking bag or plastic wrap. We found it a little salty, but otherwise quite pleasant.  Nieeps and Tatties sound so sexual, in reality it is roast and mashed turnips rutabaga and mashed potatoes. Served with a rich gravy. Oh and a locally made dark IPA.  All of the hot breakfast buffets in Scotland included haggis. 

In the UK, local stores, Tesco, Tesco Express, Marks and Spencer, and others, almost always have pre-made sandwiches boxed and ready to go. There is one I adore, cheese and onion. It is grated cheese and onion, creamed with mayo, generally on whole wheat bread. It is deceptively simple and oh so tasty.  

Last but not least, Fish and Chips. I left this to the last full day, we walked down the street to the Blue Lagoon, the nearest outlet of a chain of Chippies, I had the tradition battered and fried cod, chips and mushy peas. The fish was good, the chips (deep fried potatoes) reasonably good, and the peas where not the best I had - had on the trip. Mushy peas are cooked green peas that have been mashed - often with some minor additions.  The best that I had, were fresh with mint. At the Blue Lagoon the peas were overcooked, or canned, and soupy. They may well be something that comes in canned or frozen and are just reheated.  The fresh one's with mint, were bright and flavorful.