How to make the ultimate classic Scottish fry up

A very special part of travelling is learning all about the favourite food of different cultures. Something us Scots love is a Scottish fry up! It doesn’t have to involve meat though, I have enjoyed an alternative delicious meat free one. In most Scottish hotels, cafes and restaurants, there is always the option of a good old full Scottish fry up. By full we mean ‘the whole works’, from Lorne sausage to black pudding and you certainly feel full after eating it! I’m getting hungry just thinking about it! I may have to whip one up, purely out of research of course. But what makes a Scottish fry up different from others!? Read below for all the scrumptious ingredients.

For more reasons on why travel is special, check this post out.

The bare essentials –

Of course sausage, bacon and egg are involved! 1 or 2 sausages but not just any sausage, a Lorne sausage! Followed by a couple slices of bacon and some form of egg or 2. These 3 items are definitely the main and most common components. Eggs are usually cooked in the form of a fried egg, however, poached and scrambled are favourites too. Why not try veggie bacon and sausages? Or if not, then make sure to treat a fry up as a special and rare occasion. According to Friends of the earth, the United Kingdom need to reduce their intake of meat by about 80% by 2050, otherwise we will be helping to bring about a horrific global warming crisis. Anyway, on with the Scottish feast!

Bread –

Now bread doesn’t simply just have to be toasted. It could be fried in amongst the other delicious ingredients to give it that extra oomph. Or better yet, you could crack an egg, stir it up and then dip the bread in before frying it. Fried bread is the perfect item to wipe your plate clean with!

Tatties –

Something tattie related makes a Scottish fry up even more umdiddilyscrumptious! Tatties are the Scottish word for potatoes, potatoes are good in any form so you can’t possibly go wrong. Athough, saying this, I don’t recommend plain old mash tatties with a Scottish fry up. An idea is to fry the mash and make something fritter like. Perhaps a simple cheese fritter. Something I like to make is tatties, sweetcorn, cheese, chilli mixed with a little bit of flour and voila! Bubble and Squeak is another option, this is cooked potatoes with cabbage, mixed together and fried.

You can always go for the easy option of tattie scones, hash browns or chips! Whatever you choose, it is guaranteed to add deliciousness to your fry up.

The ‘healthy’ part –

Beans in a tomato sauce are a must. Any make is good, from Heinz to supermarkets own brands. They bring the entire dish together.

Fry some tomatoes and mushrooms for even more flavour and texture! Tomatoes are especially important because they add a juiciness to the plate which is delicious when soaked up by the toast or fried bread.

The Scottish twist –

The all important Scottish twist to this famous classic dish. Black pudding and Clootie dumpling! Now, I know the description of black pudding isn’t exactly enticing but it is so tasty! Also, Clootie dumpling doesn’t exactly look like an attractive food but it is incredible! The Heather centre in the Scottish Highlands serves the best dumpling!

Honestly, I promise you – these last 2 ingredients are pivotal in making this dish the ultimate classic Scottish fry up! You simply fry the black pudding and dumpling along with everything else.