What is Burns Night?
Burns Night is a traditional Scottish holiday that celebrates the life and poetry of Robert Burns, the country’s national poet. If you’re following a vegan lifestyle, or partaking in Veganuary, you may be wondering how to celebrate this holiday without eating any animal products. There are always alternatives of course and there are plenty of delicious and creative ways to celebrate Burns Night as a vegan.
Is there special food for Burns Night?
One of the most iconic dishes served on Burns Night is haggis, a savoury pudding traditionally made from sheep’s heart, liver, and lungs. While traditional haggis is definitely not vegan, there are many delicious vegan haggis alternatives available. Many supermarkets sell vegan haggis made from ingredients such as lentils, kidney beans, and oats. You can also make your own vegan haggis using my recipe.
Another traditional Burns Night dish is ‘neeps and tatties’, which is mashed swede (or turnip) and potatoes. To make this dish vegan, simply use a plant-based milk or butter in place of cow’s milk or butter. You can also add some vegan sausages or haggis on the side for a more filling meal.
…and dessert?
For dessert, you can make a traditional Scottish cranachan, which is a dessert made from whipped cream, whisky, honey, oats, and raspberries. To make this dessert vegan, you can use a non-dairy whipped cream alternative, such as coconut cream or oat cream, or even plain yogurt if you prefer. The whisky can be replaced with an alcohol-free version if you wish, omitted altogether, or swapped to a complementary flavour of your choice. Choose a vegan honey, or another vegan liquid sweetener alternative such as maple syrup.
Have a look at this simple cranachan recipe and see how quick and easy it is! Hopefully, you already have the ingredients, so you can get making it straightaway!
A traditional Scottish dessert.
- 1 cup of rolled oats
- 1 cup of vegan whipped cream or yogurt (coconut/oat/soy)
- 2-4 tablespoons maple syrup or vegan honey
- 1 cup fresh raspberries
- *1 tablespoon whisky / alternative or 1tsp vanilla extract (optional)
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In a dry pan, toast the rolled oats over medium heat for a few minutes, until they are golden brown. Remove from the pan immediately.
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In a large bowl, whip the vegan whipped cream until it forms stiff peaks. (if using yogurt, skip this stage). Crush 3/4 of the raspberries with a fork or spoon.
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Gently fold into the cream, half the toasted oats, maple syrup, whisky (if using) and just over half of the crushed raspberries.
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Layer the mixture into small bowls or glasses, alternating with the cream mixture, crushed raspberries and toasted oats.
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Finish your dishes with the remaining whole raspberries and a small sprinkle of toasted oats.
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Serve and enjoy!
Traditional Festivities.
Burns Night is usually celebrated with a special supper, with a toast to the haggis and a speech.
There are traditional Burns Night poems and speeches, which if you feel inclined to, you could read or listen to. The number one favourite poem by is ‘To a Mouse’ by Robert Burns.
Sharing
I hope you decide to make this Cranachan, whether or not you celebrate Burns Night in any other way. I love seeing your adaptions and interpretations of my recipes and I’d love to see your photos! Please share and tag me @LifeDietHealth or using #LifeDietHealth on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook or Twitter.
What recipes would you like to see next?
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I hope to speak with you soon
Laurena x
