A Scottish feast that is poetry to body and soul

Food not only nourishes the body, it also nourishes the soul. This was the case when I recently had the chance to once again enjoy the traditional Scottish dish of haggis after many years. This traditional dish, which was born out of necessity due to its humble ingredients, was described in the following terms in the 2001 edition of the famous French gastronomic encyclopedia Larousse Gastronomique: "Although its description is not immediately appealing, haggis has an excellent nutty texture and delicious savory flavor". Haggis is part of the special meal Scots eat each year to commemorate Burns' birthday on Jan 25. These "Burns Suppers" can actually be quite an elaborate affair, with a special ceremony to bring the haggis into the dining hall involving the playing of bagpipes, the recitation of some of his poems, and the drinking of large quantities of whisky.