Braw.

January 25th = Burns' Night. The morning began with an online exchange over possible ways in which to celebrate it &/or to capture a veggie haggis.

1) Drive 45mins to Chesterfield County to Haggis Drive. Just because.
2) Stop by Scottish Inns for a wee dram of Whisky. [Grasping at straws.]
3) Resort to McCormack's in Shockoe Bottom in hope of cross-Celticness. [Quickly vetoed.] 
4) Stop by Richmond's #1 Whisk(e)y "Grill & Smokehouse" in hope.
5) Veggie Haggis D.I.Y! The winner!


....  My theory being that if I waved a tantalising-enough recipe challenge under The Manly Man's nose, he'd take the bait. Mission swiftly accomplished:
 

TMM: " I have to warn Doug about the haggis invasion."  

As it happened, Doug wasnae bothered & was in fact well up for cuisine a l'Écosse. Hurrah! 

First things first, amidst the shallow mid-winter snow,

a stop by: 

I remembered seeing Scottish labels from our previous visit.

... Memory proved right! 

A Most Handsome Line-up.
Finding BrewDog was an absolute coup!
The Traquair was tasty too, hoppy. 

Three's Company.

It had to be Haggis, Neeps & Tatties. I wasnae cutting any corners whatsoever on this yin.

Introducing Mr. Swede, better known as "Rutabaga".

Doug & I chopped & ground & opened cans & bottles. TMM shouted requests from the stove.

- Doug Logic: "We're all wearing slippers so it's going to be a success!" -  

And so it came together, bit by bit: 

Skillet.

Carrots.
Onion. 

Kidney beans.
Lentils. 

Oatmeal. 

Mushrooms.
Celery. 

Vegetable broth.
Egg. 

Ground hazelnuts. 

Chopped peanuts. 

All spice.
Cayenne pepper. 

Lemon juice.
Soy sauce. 

Salt & Pepper. 

The Manly Man: "I feel like I'm cooking for a [...] army."

As we waited for the oven to do its thing, there was whisky (Canadian) & dancing (Scottish) - Gay Gordon which left me breathless, laughing & on the floor. Favourite ceilidh dance ever. And the three of us going all out on a freestyle 500 Hundred Miles around the living room.
It was turning out to be Burns' Night with a definite twist but the best traditions still upheld.

We did it by the book:

(Well, via an iPhone & the internet.)

The Selkirk Grace; The Ode to a Haggis. 

A most awesome alternative Burns' Night night.   :D

Yay-gis!