Something I was surprised to see in a Michigan grocery store

Haggis in a can

I've seen it around. There's even a vegetarian version

A different brand
>consists of kidney beans, lentils, peanuts, walnuts, almonds, carrots, turnip, mushrooms and vegetable margarine, together with the traditional ingredients of oatmeal, onions and our special blend of spices and seasoning. These are all put into a man-made casing and cooked together to produce this unique version of Scotland's national dish.

An American blogger come up with some Scots fusion cuisine (her haggis is fresh, not canned)
>My favorite is Haggis Nachos, that’s right, instead of ground beef, crumble some haggis over your plate of tortilla chips slathered in cheese and jalapenos. How about some haggis curry, haggis with polenta, haggis pot stickers, haggis lasagna, or a haggis california roll. Haggis, it’s not just for Burn’s night anymore.

[Her tag line is a play on an old ad for orange juice. "Orange juice. It's not just for breakfast anymore."]

I won't say: We've been here before; Nutrax, take note.

I will say: Canning has long been practised in Britain (think of tin mines). But only the best, the most canny, were allowed to tin haggis.

I just can't see how they're possibly canned unless the little buggers have been de-boned. BTW - were they free range or farmed?

I don't know, it didn't occur to me to read the label.

They're baby haggis, DD. Each haggi is so.small that you can pop it in your mouth, bones and all. Like tinned sardines, or ortolans. And since they're milk-fed, it doesn't much matter if they're freerange or battery.

That's unbelievable. The wonders of the web. Who'd have known.

Do the wee Rabbie Burns' worshipers have a sole agency franchise on the naming rights of haggis like the good citizens of say the Champagne, Armagnac and Cognac districts in Frogland etc.?

I'm seriously thinking of doing a business model on the viability of raising haggis here in the southern hemisphere and flood the northern market in their off season.

it didn't occur to me to read the label.

You can get haggis on prescription in Scotland from your GP (doctor) for certain ailments. Unlike in England, prescriptions are free for everyone in Scotland. Whenever prescriptions are issued they state 'Always read the label'. This is important in case you're allergic to any of the ingredients. Adverse reactions can take up to 72 hours to manifest, Usher - and they are far from rare when it comes to ingesting haggis. The chances are you'll be fine - but it might be prudent to review your will, just in case. Have you considered leaving money to the Haggis Foundation?

Needless to say, GPs' practices are full of people feigning illnesses to get free haggis on prescription.

P.S. Why do people add something after stating 'needless to say', except on those rare occasions when it's used to concur?

I'll have to revisit this thread later - it's 08.22 and at 08.30 someone will be asking, 'Where's ma porridge?' And I can't blame Goldilocks yet again.

Even more shocking still, is the box of Paxo next to it. Do people actually pay that price ?
I wonder how much a fresh - recently caught haggis would cost.
Outrageous ! !

#6 If the good residents of Robbie Burns's land had the naming rights for haggis, at least there couldn't be weird things made of kidney beans and peanuts in a man-made casing called "haggis".

Even more shocking still, is the box of Paxo next to it. Do people actually pay that price ?

That looks like a display of imported foods in a US supermarket, so yes, the price is going to be higher.

Amplifying a bit: Americans would typically buy an American brand of stuffing, much cheaper. That section of the supermarket seems to be aimed at homesick expats who want the stuffing in the Xmas turkey to taste like what mother used to make, or like what mother used to get out of a packet. I bet there's Marmite further along the shelf, and maybe dandelion and burdock.

Interesting.
I am a regular visitor to Bulgaria (going out again in a few days) and in Veliko Tarnovo (Bulgaria's old capital) is a shop called "The Full Monty".
Food quality in BG isn't exactly 5* cuisine at the best of times and ex-pats (there are 1000's out there - although the numbers are dwindling) flock to this place. I heard - dunno how true it is, that a standard bottle of HP Sauce retails for around a £4.That's about $US7. The same brand of salad cream (200mls) is a similar price.

Many French supermarkets in larger cities have "exotic food" sections now. Beside the Tex-Mex stuff and Chinese-type noodles, soy sauce and Indian curry pastes, there is English food -- Heinz baked beans, over-priced marmelades and various cookies.

Today I saw a small jar of Ocean Spray cranberry sauce for 3€60. ($4.87)

Oreos however have now made it to the regular cookie section.

And there are areas of France that have lots of British expats, where I would think entire shops sell stuff like Marmite.

English food -- Heinz baked beans I thought Heinz was a U.S. co?

I did promise/threaten earlier to revisit this thread.

I just can't see how they're possibly canned unless the little buggers have been de-boned. BTW - were they free range or farmed? This is a brilliant question by the dawg.

and this is a brilliant reply by Vinny:

They're baby haggis, DD. Each haggi is so.small that you can pop it in your mouth, bones and all. Like tinned sardines, or ortolans. And since they're milk-fed, it doesn't much matter if they're freerange or battery.

P.S. I was milk-fed - and it mattered to me, I suppose.

Sorry, Tony. Heinz is indeed an American company. But that was one of the few items I could remember when I visualized the section in the store. Doesn't Heinz sell anything in Britain?

Heinz baked beans, served on buttered toast, is the national dish of contemporary Britain, bjd, beating out tinned spaghetti on toast and spotted dick.

We learn from Wikipedia that

Heinz baked beans became very successful as an export to the UK, where canned baked beans are now a staple breakfast food, in America the H. J. Heinz Co. continue to sell baked beans, however they are not always as widely distributed as competing American brands. Despite their international fame there are currently substantial differences between the Heinz baked beans produced for the UK market (descended from the original American recipe) and the nearest currently equivalent American product (Heinz Premium Vegetarian Beans). The American product contains brown sugar where the British beans do not, and the US product contains 14g of sugar per 16 oz tin compared to 7g for the British version (equating to 140 vs 90 calories). The US beans have a mushier texture and are darker in color than their UK counterpart. This has resulted in a situation where the product is now imported to the brand's home country. For several years, the UK Heinz Baked Beans have been available in the US, either in different sized cans from those sold in the UK or in a 385 gram can (the same can as the 415 gram can in the UK) with an "export" label with American English spelling and the word "baked" dropped from the title on the label. These are sold in many US specialty stores, such is the popularity of baked beans and their appeal to expats.

Nae need for apologies, bjd. (I was just having fun.)

Vinny's post is interesting.

I tend to shun brands - but gawd help me if I serve guests anything other than Heinz baked beans - beans meanz Heinz.

This said, in tests designed to ascertain the strength of brands, English people overwhelmingly selected Heinz beans over supermarkets' own-label beans. At least, they thought they had: many of the tins of beans labelled 'Heinz' were supermarkets' own-label ones. (There have been numereous such tests o'er the years, the results of all delighting ad people.)

Heinz baked beans, served on buttered toast, is the national dish of contemporary Britain, bjd, beating out tinned spaghetti on toast and spotted dick.

Beans on toast died off in the late 90s; tinned spag and spotted dick in the mid 70s.

Your mischievous example, Vinny, would be like a British person writing that current US filmgoers adore John Wayne, Rock Hudson and such dreadful actors.

Talking of Heinz....
Do the UK folk here have a 'Poundland' nearby ?
Last weekend I bought a 410 mls bottle of Heinz Worcester Sauce for a nicker, as opposed to a titchy bottle of Lea & Perrins Original for twice the price. This Heinz stuff in a China import - and so very Chinese in texture and flavour. Doesn't resemble L&P's recipe very much - at all, but it's jolly good.

I love beans on toast

I don't doubt it.

UK Heinz Beans sit in the imported food sections of a couple of stores I know. One has enough imported food that it's sorted by origin. The UK section, in addition to haggis & beans, has canned Spotted Dick, Marmite, Branston Pickle, mustard, salad cream, Bisto, & other stuff that I forget. The Vegemite sits next to the Marmite, as they don't have an Aussie section.

The Weetabix and imported oats, however, sit with the other cereals.

I love Vegemite too - Sainsbury's sell it. Not so salty as Marmite.

In France too, Weetabix is with the other cereal. As are Quaker Oats.

But here we see some British food that is not likely to be sold in France anytime soon.

Your mischievous example, Vinny, would be like a British person writing that current US filmgoers adore John Wayne, Rock Hudson and such dreadful actors.

Oh, but there are people like that in the US, Tony. They are called Republicans.

Looking to see what spotted dick is, I discovered that in 2002 in Flintshire (Wales) it was renamed Spotted Richard, but the name change was rescinded after a short time.

Spanish supermarkets are full of such goods too, Nutrax - but spotted dick and Bisto are aimed at English people over 60.

But here we see some British food that is not likely to be sold in France anytime soon.

See what happens when Vinny decides to be mischievous?

There is a serious scientific study behind the headline to which ye link, bjd. (I'll let ye look up the science in yer own good time.)

It has also been named Variegated Richard. Still tastes good - whatever it's called, as long as the creator isn't a skinflint with the fruit.

P.S. Humo(u)r doesn't always travel well across the Atlantic - my post (30) is meant as humo(u)r :)

It has also been named Variegated Richard.

I wonder why, bb. Tell me: do ye think anyone on Earth, other than the English, would eat a dessert called spotted dick? (I'm not being racist: some of my best friends are not really white.)

Going back to a previous conversation, I don't understand why anyone would want to ever eat pears and parsnips - either.
I never had a problem with spotted dick. Neither the taste or the name. 'Tis a great title though - I agree.

I'm not being racist: some of my best friends are not really white

Quote of the week

:-)

#20--

First, as you note, humor doesn't always survive the translatlantic voyage. I was joking. I'm aware that spotted dick was nev the national dish of Britain. It always ran a close second to toad in the hole, if I'm not mistaken.

But:

beans on toast died off in the late 90s

Word hasn't reached this poster or the others on that thread, or .this one (who, I note without comment apparently thinks of Bisto as a health food), or any of the others here.

And this countrywoman of yours, writing a few weeks ago, seems to think that the English still eat spotted dick, and that you all would be wise to emulate their eating habits.

#21--

How much is a nicker? And is titchy big or little?

#25

Not so salty as Marmite

I've had Vegemite. How can Marmite be saltier? They haven't figured out how to make something saltier than salt, have they?

How can Marmite be saltier

Do you need a clue?.... Honestly - do you ?

Oh , I meant to mention that apparently my local supermarket has abandoned its Britsh Isles section. The Latino section has expanded and taken it over. Inka Kola where the dandelion and burdock used to be.

I thght it was clear what I meant. Vegemite was the saltiest foodstuff I've ever tasted. It's hard for me to believe that there is somethng on the market, marketed for human consumption and not as an ice melter, that is saltier than that.

But I will take your word for it and pass on the Marmite when offered.

I have tried both Marmite & Vegemite. Both taste to me about the same as chewing on a bouillon cube. Salt, with a smattering of umami.

Reading the beginning of one of Vinny's links, I found this:
I am constantly mortified by my fellow Scots' insistence on eating porridge with their fingers and forgetting to crumb down after the macaroni pies have been served, before combing an ox at the dinner table.

Instead of putting it on SiT, I'll stay here and ask Tony for a translation of "crumb down" and "combing an ox".

It always ran a close second to toad in the hole, if I'm not mistaken.

You're not, Vinny. A marvellous example! (Links noted wae thanks - and points well taken.)

I thght it was clear what I meant.

'twas clear to me, Vinny.

(bb: I mean this as kind advice: ye need to read more carefully what posters write on GS; ye need to be upfront about catching a glimpse of a TV programme; else, Vinny will cut yer balls off, I'll watch, and Drover's_Dog will eat them. Got that? :) )

I have tried both Marmite & Vegemite. Both taste to me about the same as chewing on a bouillon cube. Salt, with a smattering of umami.

I've been known to type 'unami' (linguists will be happy).

*43.... Got it - or rather if me sweetbreads are gone.... I ain't got it, anymore.
Oh - and I was in Sainsbury's today (well someone's gotta). They're selling.... Marmite, Vegemite (genuine Australian stuff) and reduced salt yeast extract - too. Didn't bother - though.
Bought a few extra lagers instead.

:-)

There's something about ye I like, bb.

Oh , I meant to mention that apparently my local supermarket has abandoned its Britsh Isles section. The Latino section has expanded and taken it over

I imagine you realize that this in happening everywhere in our areas, Vinny. Even both Asian grocery stores near me have significant Latino sections.

Yes, I think H-Mart's Latino section is better than the Latino supermarket nearer me.

I wouldn't be surprised.

The small Asian supermarket where I used to buy bags of frozen chicken feet slowly, over the years became more & more Hispanic. I liked it when it was about 50-50. I could buy chicken feet, fresh tofu in bulk, cow feet (or head, if I wanted), and a bag of masa. Now it's completely Hispanic.

I cruised by the English section of one supermarket yesterday. No haggis. They did have Heinz beans, as well as Heinz tomato soup & spaghetti. Heinz Spotted Dick & treacle pudding. Golden syrup. Jarred Devon cream. Branston pickle. Marmite & Vegemite. McVitie's Digestives. Oxo. PG Tips. HP Sauce.

No Paxo or Bisto.

What do you do with chicken feet, Nutrax?

Did you check the sell-by date on the spotted dick, nutrax? Tony tells us it must have been before 1980.

bjd, chicken feet, which I used to get for free from a chicken farmer, make good crab bait (not as good as the heads, though) and excellent stock. I've also had them boned and stuffed in a Chinese restaurant in Bangkok, but that looked like an awful lot of work for a mediocre result.

Nutrax has told us she used them for stock.

I don't doubt that 50% chicken feet and 50% Hispanic would be more interesting, Nutrax.

Did you check the sell-by date on the spotted dick, nutrax? Tony tells us it must have been before 1980. If ye were not already in the running for at least one LPTTGS award this year, dear Vinny, I'd invent an award just to honour ye for the afore-noted; make that afore-quoted!

:)

Maybe I should look at that thread. Remind me.

I hit a different supermarket today. Much smaller British section, but I was able to check the Spotted Dick. Expiration date was July, 2012. That's an amazing shelf-life for something canned in 1980.

Chicken feet are mostly composed of connective tissue, which adds a lot of gelatin & collagen to the broth. That adds body to the broth & ensures that it will gel without having to add a package of gelatin. Calcium leaches out of the feet into the broth as well.

#51."Chicken feet" is scrumptious stewed until soft and tender with fresh/dried shitake mushrooms,chicken/duck gizzard/liver in dark soy sauce,whole bulb of garlic,a couple of star anise,whole pepper corn,dried hot chillies,sliced fresh ginger,a very light drizzle of dark vinegar, a tiny bit of brown sugar/honey/dry dates,cloves and a touch of rice wine/dry sherry.
Very popular street hawkers fare in many East Asian cities.Yummy:-))

So if you left the chicken feet out, it would still taste pretty good. That's going to great lengtht to hide something that's not food anyway. I bet you like okra too.

I hit a different supermarket today. Much smaller British section, but I was able to check the Spotted Dick. Expiration date was July, 2012. That's an amazing shelf-life for something canned in 1980.

Very good, Nutrax! But I'm just hoping you're OK - not because of the spotted dick but because of your tendency to hit supermarkets - sounds painful.

#58.Okra is delish and healthy too.Like it steamed and dipped in melted butter,browned diced garlic and cracked pepper.Great in a spicy hot sourish curry with fish head as well.

I suppose okra (aka orka, killer veg) is either loved or hated. I rather like it. I've always bought it fresh until, recently, I bought some frozen - at 50p/kg bag I couldn't resist. I haven't tried it yet, not least because I have a feeling of trepidation. Has anyone knowingly eaten okra which has been frozen and, if so, what's it like, out of 10?

I mean I give 10/10 to fresh peas picked by oneself, 9/10 to frozen peas and 7/10 to supermarkets' allegedly fresh peas.

You forgot canned peas. They score -10 out of 10.

Shouldn't you be blessing a turkey - it's Thanksgiving (I think) - instead of praising tinned peas? :)

I award tinned peas 10/10 when I'm camping, otherwise 5/10. (They're not a patch, nor pod, on frozen ones, Nutrax!)

Tony, I awarded the peas a minus 10 out of 10. As in "inedible."

I read it as they scored - 10 out of 10. But you're right, Nutrax - on re-reading it's -10.

In which case, there's no need for me to be sweet and conciliatory any more and award those tinned things 5/10.

P.S. My partner came home from work about 10 mins ago and I said: I can't believe Nutrax is giving tinned peas 10/10! She said: maybe they really like mushy peas in America and she means these?

P.P.S. I suppose my blessing+ turkey and +praising tinned peas is now pointless. Alas!

Anyway, have a good Thanksgiving - and dinnae forget tae pray for me :)

and dinnae forget tae pray for me

Waste of time.

You're a haggis muncher from the glens north of the border and as such are beyond redemption my son.

.

Edited by: Drovers_Dog

Give me some f'ing haggis! Now you two shut up and chill. Ok I'll accept a kiss and makeup if I can watch though ;P

DD and I are just having a wee bit o' fun, mc - we dinnae need to make up.

P.S. It's not that I dinnae love DD - but I'd rather kiss ye, mc. Being a Scottish gentleman (obviously), you can choose the time and the place - and the place.

Best offer I've had online today tony but MrC is probably bigger than you so I'll have to pass.

I'm speechless! - but speechlessness disnae stop me writing :)

P.S. Having met him in the flesh, I know DD is bigger than me - by at least a foot. (As I willnae say to Nutrax when we meet.)