Haggis Shepherd’s Pie

Pay homage to Robert Burns this Burns night

The dish was popularised by Robert Burns in his poem: Address To A Haggis. Later, in 1801, when his friends got together to celebrate his life five years after his death, haggis was served in his memory. Since this, the unusual food of Haggis has become the centre of Burns Night.

Opt for a rich and tasty haggis shepherd’s pie this Burns Night – kids and adults alike will gobble it up.

Ingredients

• Vegetable oil for frying

• 1 small onion, chopped

• 1 carrot, chopped

• 1 celery stick, chopped

• 1 small haggis – about 454g (see tip)

• 400g can chopped tomatoes

• 125ml red wine

• ¹/₂ swede, peeled and cut into chunks

• 2 large floury potatoes, such as king edward, peeled and cut into chunks

• Large knob of butter, plus extra melted butter for brushing

• Splash whole milk

• 75g cheddar, grated

• Freshly chopped parsley to serve (optional)

You’ll also need…

• 4 individual pie dishes or 1 larger baking dish

Method

Heat the oil in a large, deep-frying pan, then add the onion, carrot and celery and cook over a medium heat for 10 minutes until softening. Meanwhile remove all the packaging from the haggis and cut it into chunks. Put in a microwave-safe bowl and cook in the microwave for half the microwave cooking time, according to the pack instructions.

Add the warm haggis pieces to the veg in the pan and fry for 2 – 3 minutes. Add the chopped tomatoes and red wine, then bring up to a simmer and cook for 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, put the swede and potatoes in 2 separate pans of cold salted water, then bring to the boil and simmer until soft. The swede will take longer than the potatoes. Drain both veg well and return to their pans for a few minutes to steam dry. Mash, then add the two together and beat in the butter and milk until smooth and combined. Taste for seasoning.

Heat the oven to 200ºC/180ºC fan/gas 6. Once the haggis sauce is rich and thickened, divide evenly among 4 individual pie dishes or put it in 1 larger baking dish. Top with the mashed veg, brush all over with melted butter, then sprinkle with grated cheddar. Finish in the oven for 20 – 25 minutes until golden on top and bubbling around the edges. Serve sprinkled with a little chopped parsley, if you like, on its own or alongside your favourite green veg.