Barb's Ode to a Haggis

Haggis is one of those foods I've always wanted to try but never got around to trying. Partially because I don't have any close friends who are Scottish that practise the custom but mostly because few of my friends are adventurous enough to go out and try it. In most cases, Robbie Burns day would come and go and I'd read about the haggis as an after thought.

This year, I jumped at the chance of eating haggis! Not only would I get to savour the fabled delicacy, but I'd get to celebrate Robbie Burns day AND Chinese New Year at one go at Gung Haggis Fat Choy.

During the course of the Chinese banquet and Scottish and Asian festivities, I fidgeted in anticipation for the haggis. Five courses into the meal, they piped in the steaming, bursting haggis in full style, each table receiving our own. After appointing our table chieftain, guests recited "Ode to a Haggis" in their best Scottish brogue and our chieftain plunged a knife into the haggis on cue!

The much anticipated moment came. Would I like haggis as much as I thought I might? I picked up my first steaming morsel of haggis with my chopsticks and placed it in my mouth....mmmm! It was better than I thought...a loose sausage texture with liver overtones and fragrant with onion, pepper and herbs. In between savoured bites of delicious haggis, I was entertained by the less than enthusiastic reactions of my tablemates. Haggis isn't for everyone, but I must admit: I am a haggis fan! Needless to say I was disappointed when the waiter whisked away the last of our haggis.

So I patiently wait for Robbie Burns day again. I guess I can try making haggis myself, but it seems a bit tedious even for me. And Roland would have to learn how to play the bagpipes.