Sunday, January 4, 2009

Burns Supper: Cock-a-leekie Soup

A Burns Supper, or any good Scottish meal, will often begin with Cock-a-leekie soup.


This is a traditional soup whose use was first recorded in the 16th Century. The main ingredients of the soup are chicken broth, chicken and leeks. Cock-a-leekie can also contain prunes, potatoes, herbs or Scotch whisky. As with any soup, there are many variations.


It has been suggested that the reason for the addition of prunes was to increase the nutritional value of the broth, back in the times when the broth had to stretch over many meals. They do add a rich, deep flavor that you don't get with any other fruit or vegetable.


Sir Walter Scott in St. Ronan's Well says: "Such were the cock-a-leekie and the savoury minced collops...."


Visit the Robert Burns page of our website for Gift Packages and more information about Robert Burns.


 

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