Tummyrumble

Haggis and tatties and mashed swedes

Haggis and tatties and mashed swedes
Originally uploaded by Manne.

Fantastic! Even better than I expected. Very salty and fatty, wouldn't want to eat it on its own, but mixed with mashed potatoes it is really good. Can't understand why it has such a bad rep.

Off to Burn's supper we go

Off to Burn's supper we go
Originally uploaded by Manne.

Burn's Night, a celebration of and for the Sottish

Today we celebrate Robert Burns, the national poet of Scotland. Not many people seem to know (I sure didn't), but this is the man who brought us Auld Lang Syne which I am sure you have heard at least once or twice around New Year's Eve. Not only did he write a lot of great poetry and song lyrics, he has also been a big influence to the Socialist movement.

Since I am going to a proper Burn's Supper with haggis and everything on Saturday (damn, I look hot in a kilt), I did some reading up on the subject. Haggis is something I have wanted to try for years and I must say I like the ritualistic traditions surrounding this event.

So tonight, in celebration of Robert Burns before I sit down to eat my supper, the Selkirk Grace:

Some hae meat and canna eat,
And some wad eat that want it.
But we hae meat and we can eat,
Sae let the Lord be thankit.

Lovely. Hear it on this audio recording (Real Player) of Selkirk Grace, read in Scots, that I found at the Beeb web site last night but is now gone (they have redesigned the Burn's Supper section and for some reason not included this lovely recording, luckily I found it in my browser cache). I think I will make it a tradition to read that before digging into every big traditional meal I cook from here on in.

Maria's Market Cafe, Borough Market

Maria's Market Cafe, Borough Market
Originally uploaded by Manne.

We have heard Maria does the best Bubble and Squeak in London. I hardly know what that is, but today by Jove we are going to try it.

Angel: Excellent pub grub

Angel: Excellent pub grub
Originally uploaded by Manne.

Nothing like some Sunday roast to set you straight after a heavy Saturday night.

Last might was spent celebrating B's new flat in Stockwell, all dressed up with great creativity as something relating to the Underground. Most people came as a tube station, me being High Barnett and Barking. Yes, two stations. Couldn't make up my mind... A made a great Chalk Farm and A a cheeky Cockfosters, silly Aussie bugger. I hope they are as hung over today as I am!

Sunday roast at Angel pub in Bermondsey, right by the water with am amazing view, is well recommended. They even have crackling (not sure I am using the right word here), the skin of the pork, fried to perfection. Yum. Lots of gravy, fresh veggies, crispy croquettes and a big fatty part still on the pork. With apple sauce. And the walk out here, it is out towards Rotherhithe, is amazing on a sunny day.

If a meal here with a pint of Samuel Smith's doesn't cure your hangover, nothing will.