Burns Night 2023 – Clootie dumpling truffles (gluten-free; dairy-free; vegan)

January 21, 2023January 21, 2023 ~ My virtually free-from kitchen ~ Leave a comment

It’s that time of year again when the Scottish nation gathers together to celebrate the birth of the poet Robert ‘Rabbie’ Burns. The celebration comes exactly one month after Christmas Day and it is a great way to help beat the January blues.

Over the years on my blog, I have posted several recipes which are traditionally served at this time of the year. Proper comfort food, guaranteed to warm you up on a cold day. This year, my recipe is very simple and combines a traditional Scottish pudding with a favourite sweet chocolate treat.

Gluten-free_and_vegan_Scottish_clootie_dumpling_for_burns_night_2023 — Homemade clootie dumpling. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

Last year I posted a recipe for a homemade clootie dumpling which you can find here Clootie dumpling (gluten-free; dairy-free; vegan). My recipe this week uses this traditional Scottish pudding as a base. You can use a light fruit cake mixed with a little oatmeal instead if you prefer.

I flavoured my truffles with chopped stem ginger and ginger wine but ground spices and ginger syrup or orange juice will work fine as alternatives. The truffle mixture is simply wrapped in small rounds of marzipan or use a thin layer of ready-to-roll icing if you prefer.

Inside_a_clootie_dumpling_truffle — Clootie truffles and ginger wine. Image: Kathryn Hawkins

So here’s the recipe. You can also use the same mix to make small haggis-shaped truffles.

Makes: 8

Ingredients

125g free-from clootie dumpling crumbs (or use 100g free-from light fruit cake crumbs combined with 25g toasted gluten-free oatmeal)
25g stem ginger, finely chopped
100g vegan dark chocolate, melted
2tbsp ginger wine, ginger syrup or orange juice
240g natural marzipan

1. Put the crumbs and ginger in a bowl and bind together with the melted chocolate and wine, syrup or juice. Form into 8 balls and chill for about 1hr until firm.

2. Divide the marzipan into 8 equal pieces and roll out thinly to make rounds large enough to encase each truffle. Scrunch together at the top to give the cloth effect. Tie with twine or ribbon if liked. Keep in a cool place or the fridge until ready to serve.

Making_clootie_dumpling_truffles — Clootie dumpling truffle steps. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

To make haggis truffles instead, divide into 10 portions and shape into small sausage lengths. You’ll need 300g marzipan to roll out into rounds and wrap around each one. Scrunch the marzipan at each end to give the classic haggis shape.

Mini_chocolate_haggis_truffles — Same mixture, different shape. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

For easy reference, here are a few links to other recipe posts for traditional Scottish dishes with a free-from twist to serve up on January 25th:

Vegan haggis (dairy-free; gluten-free variation)

Mixed root “stovies” (gluten-free; dairy-free; vegan)

Rumbledethumps (gluten-free; dairy-free & vegan alternatives)

Tattie scones (gluten-free; dairy-free; vegan)For Burns Night,

Scottish shortbread (gluten-free; dairy-free; vegan)

Gingerbread cupcakes and cookies (gluten-free; dairy-free; vegan)

Chocolate Haggis for a Burns Night supper (gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan)

Gingerbread tablet for Burns Night 2022 (gluten-free; dairy-free; vegan)

That’s all from me this week. Until next time, thanks for stopping by and I hope you have a good few days ahead.

Clootie dumpling (gluten-free; dairy-free; vegan)

January 21, 2021January 21, 2021 ~ My virtually free-from kitchen ~ 1 Comment

Whole_clootie_dumpling_ready_to_serve_for_Burns_night_2021 — Clootie dumpling. Image: Kathryn Hawkins

Hello again. I hope you are keeping well and safe, and if you are in a cooler part of the world right now, I hope it’s not too cold at the moment. It’s certainly been chilly here in central Scotland. As I type, the garden is very snow-laden and there is not much sign of it melting for the time being.

Scenes_of_a_snowy_Scottish_garden_in_January_2021 — Snowy January 2021. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

I am, therefore, still feeling the need for comfort food. My recipe post this week is a traditional Scottish pudding that definitely falls into the aforementioned category. This coming Monday marks the annual celebration of Burns Night on the calendar, when the birth of Scotland’s national poet, Robert (Rabbie) Burns, is remembered. Usually a chance to meet up with friends and family and enjoy a dram of whisky or two, this year will inevitably be a much quieter affair.

Spooned_out_clootie_dumpling — The serving of the pudding. Image: Kathryn Hawkins

The recipe gets its name from the way this pudding is cooked. The fruity, oaty mixture is wrapped in a floured cloth or cloot and boiled. The perfect dumpling should have a firm texture on the outside with a soft, fruity and mildly spiced interior, so when the pudding has been boiled, it is popped in the oven to dry out for a few minutes and thus a shiny coating or skin forms on the outside.

Portion_of_clootie_dumpling_with_custard_and_a_wee_dram — Clootie dumpling with custard and a wee dram on the side. Image: Kathryn Hawkins

Serve the dumpling with custard and enjoy it hot with a wee nip of whisky or ginger wine to wash it down. Delicious. Here’s the recipe if you fancy giving it a go.

Serves: 6

Ingredients

125g gluten-free self raising flour (such as Doves Farm) + extra for dusting
75g vegetable suet
50g oatmeal (do check that this is certified gluten-free if you are Coeliac)
50g dark soft brown sugar
¾ tsp ground ginger
½ tsp ground cinnamon
Pinch of grated nutmeg
½ tsp salt
125g mixed dried fruit (currants, sultanas and raisins)
1 tbsp treacle
1 tbsp ground flax seed mixed with 45ml cold water (flax egg)
90ml dairy-free milk (I used oat milk)

1. First prepare the cloth. You’ll need a large square of cheesecloth or muslin for this – or you could use a clean tea towel. My cloth is 42cm square. Bring a saucepan of water to the boil and scald the cloth in the water for a few seconds. Drain well – I use tongs and a colander to help with this – and when cool enough to handle, wring out the excess water.

2. Lay the damp cloth flat on a tray or directly on the work surface and lightly dust all over with flour – about 25g will be sufficient. Use a sieve to keep the flour evenly sprinkled in order to achieve a smooth finish on the dumpling. Cut a length of string to tie it up, and put to one side along with the prepared cloth.

How_to_prepare_the_cloth_or_cloot_for_clootie_dumpling — Preparing the cloth or cloot. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

3. Sift the flour into a bowl and add the suet, oatmeal, sugar, spices and salt, and mix together. Stir in the fruit and treacle, and then bind everything together with the flax egg and milk to make a softish batter mix.

4. Spoon the mixture on to the centre of the cloth. Draw up the sides and tie together securely with the string. Don’t tie the cloth too tightly around the mixture, keep it baggy to allow the dumpling to expand during cooking.

Making_the_dumpling_mix_and_tying_up_in_cloth — Preparing and assembling the dumpling. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

5. Place an upturned saucer or trivet in the bottom of a saucepan – choose a pan that neatly fits the saucer or trivet so that the dumpling doesn’t move around too much during cooking. Sit the dumpling on top and fill the pan with boiling water to come about halfway up the sides of the dumpling. Bring to the boil, then cover with a tight fitting lid and simmer gently for 2 horrs. You may need to top up the water during cooking.

6. Towards the end of the cooking time, half fill a bowl with cold water, and preheat the oven to 180°C, 160°C fan oven, gas 4. When the dumpling is cooked, carefully lift it out and dip in the cold water for 10 seconds – this helps you to remove the cloth more cleanly.

7. Drain the dumpling in a colander and open out the cloth. Put a heatproof dish over the bowl and carefully flip the dumpling on to the dish. Gently peel away the cloth, keeping the outer edge intact, and bake for 15 minutes to dry off. Serve the dumpling as soon as possible after cooking, and accompany with custard. You can reheat any leftovers in the microwave, or leave to cool and then wrap and freeze.

How_to_cook_clootie_dumpling — Cooking the dumpling. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

Close-up_of_spoonful_homemade_clootie_dumpling — Clootie dumpling close-up. Image: Kathryn Hawkins

That’s me for another week. Until my next post, enjoy Burns Night if you are celebrating. Take care and keep safe 🙂

Burns Night 2020

January 24, 2020January 24, 2020 ~ My virtually free-from kitchen ~ Leave a comment

January 25th is a national celebration here in Scotland. The day commemorates the birthday of the famous Scottish poet, Robert (Rabbie) Burns. All over the country, parties and gatherings will be held in honour of Mr Burns, based around a traditional meal of haggis, neeps (mashed turnip or swede) and tatties (mashed potato), washed down with a wee dram or two of whisky.

I have noticed from the stats on my site, that from the end of December onwards, my tattie scones recipe gets lots of hits from all over the world. I think, in fact, that this is the most popular recipe I have ever posted. The chocolate haggis is a close second. Vegan_haggis_and_tattie_scones_traditional_Scottish_Burns_night_food

Scottish_shortbread_rounds_alongside_chocolate_haggis_covered_in_marzipan — Vegan haggis, tattie scones, shortbread and chocolate haggis. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

The recipes for my vegan haggis and my old favourite, shortbread , as well as the aforementioned, can be found by clicking on the (pink) links.

Whatever you’re doing this January 25th, I hope you have a good time. I raise a glass to you and say “Slàinte”.

PS. A recipe for the (naked) gingerbread men will follow shortly 🙂

Small_gingerbread_man_with_icing_kilt_and_Highland_regalia — A wee highland gingerbread man decorated for Burns Night. Image: Kathryn Hawkins

For Burns Night, Scottish shortbread (gluten-free; dairy-free; vegan)

January 25, 2019January 24, 2019 ~ My virtually free-from kitchen ~ 6 Comments

Aluminium_tin_with_Scottish_shortbread_rounds — Scottish shortbread. Image: Kathryn Hawkins

Happy Burns Night, or Day, depending on when you are reading this!

When I started my blog several months ago, my very first recipe was for an old favourite of mine, shortbread. Looking back recently, I thought that the recipe could do with a bit of an update. Now I have a dairy-free version which I am very happy with and so, I have updated my original recipe, timing it for this year’s January 25th celebration.

For a couple of weeks now, I’ve noticed that my Scottish recipe posts have been receiving quite a few views, so here are links to other recipes you might like to try this January 25th: tattie scones, chocolate haggis, vegan haggis and Burns Night mini chocolate haggis.

Aluminium_thistle_embossed_cake_tin — Vintage thistle cake tin. Image: Kathryn Hawkins

On with the recipe. I have given my shortbread rounds a suitably Scottish flourish by embossing them with a thistle on the top. If you don’t have a traditional shortbread mould, then simply roll out the dough and cut out rounds using a plain or fluted edge cookie cutter. Prick the tops and press the edges with the fork before baking.

Thistle_embossed_shortbread_rounds_with_whisky_tumblers — Shortbread and whisky, Image: Kathryn Hawkins

Here’s the link back to the updated original shortbread recipe – now dairy-free and vegan as well as gluten-free – and if you are using a shortbread mould, there are some step by steps images to help you.

That’s all for this week. I’m off for a wee dram; I’ll be posting again soon. Sláinte!

Whisky_and_shortbread_for_Burns_Night_2019 — Sláinte! Image: Kathryn Hawkins

Vegan haggis (dairy-free; gluten-free variation)

January 17, 2019January 17, 2019 ~ My virtually free-from kitchen ~ 3 Comments

Whole_vegan_haggis_with_mashed_turnips_(swede)_and_potatoes — Haggis, neeps and tatties the vegan way. Image: Kathryn Hawkins

Hello again. I hope 2019 is going well for you so far. There’s a wee bit of forward planning gone into this week’s recipe. Next Friday, January 25th, is the Scottish feast of Burns Night, which is traditionally celebrated in a very meaty way with the dish of haggis accompanied with the only vegetarian part of the meal: “neeps and tatties” (mashed turnip (swede) and potatoes). I’ve been working on a meat-free version for a while, and finally I think I’ve cracked it this year. The flavour and texture is not that far off the traditional version and much nicer than any commercially made veggie haggis I have tried. I hope I might tempt you into making one for yourself.

You’ll need to allow at least a day in advance before you cook the haggis, but it will keep wrapped up in the fridge for 3 or 4 days before cooking if you want to prepare ahead.

Single_portion_of_haggis_neeps_and_tatties — Burns supper. Image: Kathryn Hawkins

Without going into the grim details of what’s in a traditional haggis, I’ve replaced the meat, etc. with mushrooms, red lentils and pearl barley which give the texture in the dish. Other than that, the bulk of the haggis is made up in the traditional way with toasted oatmeal. For a completely gluten-free version, replace the pearl barley with well-cooked white or brown rice, and use certified free-from oatmeal. I’ve stuck to the traditional haggis seasonings of plenty of black pepper, nutmeg and salt.

Coarse_salt_ground_black_pepper_whole_nutmeg — Traditional haggis seasoning: salt, pepper and nutmeg. Image: Kathryn Hawkins

Because there is no outer “skin” to contain the vegan haggis mixture, the assembly method is quite long, however the recipe itself is pretty straightforward. I’ve included plenty of step-by-step images to help with the assembly. Let me know how you get on 🙂

Serves: 3-4

Ingredients

1 tbsp. vegetable oil
1 medium onion, peeled and finely chopped
1 bay leaf
225g large flat mushrooms. peeled and chopped
100g pinhead oatmeal or groats (use certified gluten-free if Coeliac)
150g cooked, well-drained red lentils
150g cooked, well-drained pearl barley (use well-cooked brown or white rice to make completely gluten-free)
1 tsp salt
½ tsp ground black pepper + extra to serve
A large pinch grated nutmeg
Approx. 4 tbsp. cold vegetable stock
50g vegetable suet

Heat the oil in a lidded frying pan and gently fry the onion with the bay leaf, stirring, for 2 minutes. Cover with the lid, reduce the heat to low and cook for 15 minutes until soft. Add the mushrooms, raise the heat and stir fry for 2 minutes. Cover again, reduce the heat and cook gently for 10 minutes until tender. Leave to cool completely. Discard the bay leaf.
Cooking mushrooms for vegan haggis. Images: Kathryn Hawkins
Meanwhile, heat a dry frying pan until hot. Sprinkle over the oatmeal, and cook, stirring the oatmeal over a medium heat, for 7-8 minutes, to “toast”, without over-browning. Leave to cool.
Cooking oatmeal. Images: Kathryn Hawkins
To assemble the haggis, mix the oatmeal, lentils and barley or rice into the cold mushroom mixture. Add the seasoning, and sufficient stock to bind the mixture together without making it too wet – how much you need will depend on how juicy the mushrooms are – then mix in the suet – it is important that everything is cold otherwise the suet will melt.
Mixing the haggis ingredients. Images: Kathryn Hawkins
Lay 3 large sheets of cling film, approx. 44 x 32cm, on top of each other on a tray or work surface. Pile the haggis mixture in the centre. Fold the longest sides of cling film tightly over the mixture and then twist the ends tightly closed to form a chunky haggis shape, approx. 16cm long. Put in the fridge to firm up overnight.
Shaping the haggis. Images: Kathryn Hawkins
To cook the haggis, Lay a sheet of foil on a tray or work surface (same size as the cling film) and then place a sheet of baking parchment on top. Carefully unwrap the haggis and carefully place it in the centre of the parchment. It should its hold shape but won’t be completely solid. Fold the parchment over the haggis as you did with the cling film; scrunch the ends gently together and fold the parchment underneath the haggis. Wrap the foil over and twist the ends tightly to retain the haggis shape.
Preparing vegan haggis for cooking. Images: Kathryn Hawkins
Pour a 1cm depth of water into the bottom of a deep, lidded frying pan or a large saucepan. Bring to the boil, then place the haggis in the water, seam-side up; cover with the lid, reduce to a gentle simmer and cook for 1 ¼ hours until piping hot – if you have a food probe, test the centre, it should be at least 75°C to serve.
Cooking the haggis. Images: Kathryn Hawkins
Carefully drain the haggis and leave to stand for 10 minutes. Remove the foil and place the haggis, still in the parchment, on a warmed serving platter. Open out the parchment and serve straight away, accompanied with mashed turnip and potatoes, and more black pepper if liked.
Freshly cooked vegan Haggis. Image: Kathryn Hawkins

Note: if you have any haggis leftover, let it cool and chill it down for the next day. Cut into chunky slices and fry for a few minutes on each side until crisp, brown and hot. Serve with tomatoes and oatcakes. This is my favourite way of serving and eating haggis, the oatmeal becomes crunchy and deliciously nutty when fried. Have a good week!