Scottish Skirlie Bread Recipes

SCOTTISH BANNOCKS RECIPE

Steps:

• If you're making your own buttermilk do that first (see notes).
• Mix your oatmeal, salt and flour together in your bowl.
• Measure our your buttermilk, if you've made extra, and add the baking soda.
• Add your buttermilk mixture slowly to the oatmeal and flour mix, you may not need it all so add around a cup then use a spoon to bring it together before continuing with the rest if necessary.
• Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and split into two.
• Manipulate the dough into a flat circles the right size to suit your griddle, skillet or frying pan. Be careful not to handle the mixture too much at this stage to avoid taking any air the baking soda has added from it.
• Heat your griddle/skillet with a little oil.
• Indent your dough slightly to provide 4 sections, like you would a pizza.
• Once it's hot add the dough to your griddle/skillet.
• You should only have to turn your bannock once, leave it to brown on the underside but don't be afraid to give it a shuggle to make sure it's not stuck to the surface of the pan.
• Once you're sure it's cooked turn the bannock over to lightly brown the other side. You should be able to tap it and hear a hollow sound.
• If your bannock is too thick you may need to cook for longer on the second side but this will depend on your griddle/skillet size.

SCOTTISH SKIRLIE FRIED CAKES

Steps:

• Melt the bacon drippings in a saucepan; add chopped onion and cook until onion is lightly browned, stirring frequently. Add boiling water and salt; mix in oats and cook about 15 minutes, stirring frequently, until oatmeal is thick. Crush the sage and mix into the porridge along with pepper. Spread mixture into a 6 or 7 inch square pan or 8 inch pie pan and chill. When ready to serve cut into squares. Dip each square into flour and fry in hot bacon drippings. Serve as an accompaniment to stews or chowders.
• Soups and Stews The World Over.

SCOTTISH SKIRLIE BREAD

Steps:

• Melt the bacon drippings in a frying pan; add onions and cook until lightly browned.
• Meanwhile, beat together milk and egg in a mixing bowl; stir in browned onions. Combine oats, flour, baking powder, and salt. Crush sage and mix into oats. Stir oats into onion mixture, mixing just until well moistened. Grease a 9 inch round cake pan with bacon drippings. Pour batter into the pan and bake in a moderately hot oven, 400 F., for 25 to 30 minutes, or until done and brown on top. Serve warm. Makes about 6 servings.
• Soups and Stews The World Over.

SKIRLIE (SCOTTISH OATMEAL AND ONIONS)

Steps:

• Melt the fat or heat the oil in a large frying pan.
• Add the onion and cook until soft and golden.
• Add the oatmeal and mix in well.
• Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently.
• Add the stock and allow it to be absorbed by the oatmeal.
• Season well and serve with light creamy mashed potatoes.
• (Skirlie may also be used as a stuffing for any kind of game bird or poultry. It is also a very good accompaniment to rich meaty and gamy stews).

SCOTTISH SKIRLIE

Steps:

• Melt the bacon drippings in a frying pan. When they are hot, add chopped onion and cook, stirring frequently, until onion is lightly browned. Add oats, salt, and pepper and continue cooking, stirring frequently, until oats are brown, about 15 minutes. Spoon Skirlie into a bowl and pass to sprinkle over hot soup. Makes 4 to 6 servings.
• Soups and Stews The World Over.

SKIRLIE MASH

Steps:

• Boil the potatoes until very tender, about 20 mins. Meanwhile, make the skirlie. Heat the butter in a frying pan, add the onion and cook for 10 mins until golden and soft. Add the oatmeal and stir until the butter is absorbed and the mix looks dry. Continue cooking until the skirlie is toasted, stirring (skirling round the pan) all the time for 5 mins, but do not let it catch and burn. Remove and keep warm.
• Drain the potatoes, return to the hot pan and mash really well. Beat in the cream, parsley and skirlie, then season to taste. Serve immediately before the skirlie softens.

SKIRLIE (SCOTTISH OATMEAL STUFFING)

Steps:

• Melt the butter and gently fry the onion until soft.
• Stir in the oatmeal, season and cook gently for 10 minutes.