Scottish High Street Bakery classics.
High Street Bakers
When I was researching Haggis for a previous post, I started thinking about what us Scot's really do eat. Haggis might be our national dish, but at most we only eat it once a year. The typical Scottish working lunch usually comes from one of our local bakeries or a food van. Hot and cold filled rolls are still the top item to buy. But who could pass up the chance of a pie and a cake.
Buttery or Rowie
This is a breakfast classic from my hometown of Aberdeen, sold widely in the Aberdeenshire area. You might see them sold in other parts of Scotland, but there just not the same.
Think of a flat croissant that's a doesn't puff up. There considered a savoury pastry due to their salty taste. Traditionally these were made with butter, which is why their called butteries. However some less than scrupulous bakers started to use lard. The commercially produced ones are made using oil, they just don't get the same flaky texture. This version would technically be okay for vegans to eat, but double check the ingredients. If you're vegetarian try proper butter made ones.
Think of a flat croissant that's a doesn't puff up. There considered a savoury pastry due to their salty taste. Traditionally these were made with butter, which is why their called butteries. However some less than scrupulous bakers started to use lard. The commercially produced ones are made using oil, they just don't get the same flaky texture. This version would technically be okay for vegans to eat, but double check the ingredients. If you're vegetarian try proper butter made ones.
In our family they must be toasted, spread with butter and home made jam. My personal favourite being home made Raspberry. I really miss these, a gluten and dairy free version wouldn't be the same for me. I have too many fond family memories of the humble rowie.
There are plenty recipes on line if you want to try and making your own. Or www.Coeliac.org.uk have a link to a baker who is making gluten free ones.
Yum Yums
These tasty treats have been eaten for years in Scotland. A long twisted flaky doughnut, covered in a sugar glaze. This Telegraph article, says they arrived in Scotland via Holland and nicked named yum yums by the locals. I remember these from when I was a kid, they were a special treat. There now available all over Britain, and you can find different versions all over the world. Just goes to show that not all food, deep fried by Scots is bad.
These tasty treats have been eaten for years in Scotland. A long twisted flaky doughnut, covered in a sugar glaze. This Telegraph article, says they arrived in Scotland via Holland and nicked named yum yums by the locals. I remember these from when I was a kid, they were a special treat. There now available all over Britain, and you can find different versions all over the world. Just goes to show that not all food, deep fried by Scots is bad.
Ross Bakery
Trifle
Another strange Scottish Bakery classic is the humble trifle. I have no idea why we sell this in bakery shops. However it is a great way of using up extra cake. Scotland's version of dessert on the go.
Treacle Scones
At Halloween our baker shops start selling their treacle scones. I remember Halloween at the Girl guides, they were strung up on string and covered in even more treacle. We had to try and eat them with out using our hands. I have fond memories of these and regret I can't eat them now. Food intolerance's are really annoying!!!
Tattie Scones
Or Potato Scone if you're being posh. Another recipe that probably came as away to use up left over tatties. You can often find them served with a fried Scottish Breakfast. They are also enjoyed simply toasted then spread with butter. The recipe above is simple, and can be easily adapted to make them dairy and gluten free.
Other notable mentions
Other notable mentions
Griddle or Girdle scone - The traditional way of cooking scones before the oven they were cooked on griddle. It could sit directly on the flame of the fire or hung above for a less direct cook. A lot of Scottish and Irish recipes crossover as were both Celtic Nations. There is a long history of migration between the 2 countries. My mum still has one of these that has been passed down. Most people today just use a frying pan. The scones are cooked on the hob rather than in the oven.
Empire Biscuit - Technically not a British Biscuit, but it was adopted by the nation. It has many names and is popular in the UK as well as the other commonwealth countries. Which is where the name comes from. It's probably most loved in Scotland. A double biscuits sandwiched with jam, then topped with icing. Then adorned with a cherry on top.
Millionaire Shortbread - Or Caramel Shortbread as it's also called. A layer of shortbread that's covered in caramel. Once set it's topped with chocolate. It's not a recipe that many people attempt to make, since it's so fiddly. It looks simple, it's not. Which I found out when I tried to make my own dairy free version. The majority of Scottish Bakeries and cafe's will have them. There the favourite treat to buy at cake and bakes sales. It's one of those old fashion treats that every generation loves.
Macaroni pie
This is a totally genius idea for portable mac and cheese. Scotland's version of a vegetarian Pie. You are not going to find this anywhere else in Britain. There was a national outcry when Greggs stopped selling them. If you visiting Scotland go to a local bakers shop and get one to try. The bakers about are Baynes a family bakery from Fife. Again carb on carb Scottish invention, perfect for our cold winters.
Scotch Pie
One thing the UK and Ireland excel at are pies. Visit any local bakers shop and you'll find an array of different pies. Hot or Cold they are perfect meals for eating on the go. The best thing is they are in individual portions, so you don't need to share. Typically filled with minced meat and spiced with pepper. Which were the ones that I preferred.
Pie in a roll
I remember the first time I saw this, it totally baffled me. I sat and watched as this man came in with 2 brown bakery bags. He took out the roll, then the pie and placed it in the roll. Adding Sauce is optional. Totally Bizarre! It's not something we had in Aberdeen. Give it a try for your self, and let me know what you think.
Forfar Bridie
Traditional bridie's are made with shortcrust pastry and filled with minced meat, then seasoned with salt and pepper. The rest of Scotland typically make them with flaky pastry. I must admit I preferred the flaky pastry ones. They are similar in shape to Mexican Empanadas. A classic circle of pastry half filled with meat, then fold over and crimped. Covered in egg wash to give them a nice sheen. Always remember to made a whole on top for the steam to come our.
Haggis Pies
Every bakery has their own version of a haggis pie, the above one is unique. I had to chuckle at this Scottish Version of fusion food. Haggis and Macaroni pie, its totally original. Other variations are, steak and haggis pie, mince and haggis pie, haggis and tattie pie and haggis, neeps and tattie pie.
Bean and tattie Pie
One of my local bakers Baynes family baker, make a bean and potato pie. Other variations from other Bakeries are mince, beans and tattie pie. A complete meal on the go.
Notable mention
The pie maker - If you are ever in Edinburgh check out The Pie Maker Bake shop, at 38 South Bridge Street. They have a selection of both Vegan and vegetarian pies. It's the only bakery I could find that did vegan pies x
Have you ever noticed that food producers either bake gluten free items or Vegan/dairy free items. However they never make any gluten and dairy free items!!!! Don't they know they are missing out on a large potential market.
Every bakery has their own version of a haggis pie, the above one is unique. I had to chuckle at this Scottish Version of fusion food. Haggis and Macaroni pie, its totally original. Other variations are, steak and haggis pie, mince and haggis pie, haggis and tattie pie and haggis, neeps and tattie pie.
Bean and tattie Pie
One of my local bakers Baynes family baker, make a bean and potato pie. Other variations from other Bakeries are mince, beans and tattie pie. A complete meal on the go.
Notable mention
The pie maker - If you are ever in Edinburgh check out The Pie Maker Bake shop, at 38 South Bridge Street. They have a selection of both Vegan and vegetarian pies. It's the only bakery I could find that did vegan pies x
Have you ever noticed that food producers either bake gluten free items or Vegan/dairy free items. However they never make any gluten and dairy free items!!!! Don't they know they are missing out on a large potential market.
Make your own
You can try making these Scottish classics Vegetarian, by substituting Veggie Haggis for the mincemeat. The haggis has the perfect seasoning, so no need to add any. I'm not a great fan of vegetarian mince like Quorn, but if can't find veggie haggis you could use this instead.
The bridie shape is the easiest to make, so would be perfect if you wanted to make your own Mac and cheese pies. This Huffingtonpost link has 9 different vegan Mac and Cheese recipes for you to try.
I've really enjoyed researching this blog post. I was really surprised how many bakery shops are not doing gluten free items. Now all we need is them to make dairy free/Vegan as well. I really miss going to my local baker shop on a Saturday morning and buying my lunch xx
Comments
Post a Comment