Robbie Burns buffet menu By Christine Picheca, Online Food Editor
Recipes by The Canadian Living Test Kitchen

This January 25th, raise a glass to Scotland's favourite bard and feast with your friends on Scottish fare.

A Robbie Burns Celebration is filled with poetry, whiskey and the “Great chieftain o the puddin'-race!” – the Haggis. Everyone may not find haggis as “fair” as old Robbie did. Just in case, here’s a meat and potatoes buffet menu offered as an alternative to the traditional savoury pudding. Leeks, root vegetables, smoked salmon and roast beef are the stars of this hearty buffet, sure to be equally ode-worthy and please the palate of any Scot (recipe links listed below).

To start
Top our Walnut Oakcakes with thinly sliced Scottish smoked salmon and a sprig of dill. Have plenty of Newcastle Brown Ale to quaff alongside.

Cock-A-Leekie Soup is the customary starter for a Robbie Burns meal. Place in a soup tureen with easy to handle tea-cups alongside for buffet service.

Main course
Next to haggis, there is nothing closer to a Scotsman’s stomach than meat and potatoes. Make our Horseradish Sirloin Roast the star of the Burns Day menu.

Mashed root vegetables are a must! Choose, two three or all of these hearty side dishes to match with your roast. We have dressed up rutabagas with sweet apples in this Rutabaga Apple Gratin and added leeks, a Scottish favourite, to potatoes in Smashed Leeks and Potatoes. Roasted Root Vegetables and Savoy Cabbage Gratin equally give a nod to tradition.

Dessert
Give a Toast to Robbie Burns with a dram of Whiskey with authentic Scottish Shortbread to serve alongside.

Need Scotch suggestions? We've reviewed 7 quality Scotches for every budget.