Scottish stovies come in all kinds of variations. That's because it's the traditional Scottish way of using up the remains of a Sunday roast and potatoes with whatever is leftover from the meal. Doing so presents the food in a different way, making the most of leftover Sunday supper.
Making Scottish Stovies
While you can use leftovers from a meal, you can also use fresh ingredients to make this delicious comfort food.
Stovetop Stovies
Make these stovies on the stovetop using leftover meat such as lamb or roast beef.
Ingredients
- 4 large potatoes, such as russets, peeled and cubed
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 cup chicken or beef broth
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 2 tablespoons butter, lard, or pan drippings from a roast
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cups leftover roasted meat, cut into bite sized cubes
- 1/4 teaspoon of freshly grated nutmeg
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives
Instructions
- In a pot, combine the potatoes, milk, broth, salt, and pepper. Cover and bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Cook, covered, until the potatoes are fork tender.
- Meanwhile, in a saute pan, melt the butter or pan drippings over medium-high heat.
- Add the onion and cook, stirring frequently, until the onion softens, about five minutes.
- Add the meat and cook, stirring frequently, until the meat is warmed through and the onions begin to brown, three to four minutes more.
- Stir the meat and onions into the potatoes. Add nutmeg and chopped fresh chives and stir to combine.
Oven Stovies
While the ingredients are similar to the stovetop stovies recipe, this recipe allows you to bake the dish in a mostly hands-off fashion.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter or roast drippings
- 1 onion, thinly sliced
- 8 ounces finely chopped leftover roasted meat or browned sausage
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper
- 2 baking potatoes, thinly sliced
- 2 cups chicken or beef stock
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
- In a large, oven-proof saute pan that has a lid, heat the butter or drippings over medium-high heat until it simmers.
- Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until it softens and begins to brown, five to seven minutes.
- Add the roast to the onions, along with the salt and pepper, stirring to combine.
- Arrange the potato slices over the top of the meat and onion mixture, layering as necessary to fill the pan.
- Carefully pour the stock over the potato slices. Cover the pan and put it in the oven.
- Cook until the potatoes absorb the stock and begin to turn golden, about 45 minutes more.
- Sprinkle with parsley before serving.
Variations
There are numerous ways you can creatively vary stovies recipes.
- Add cooked root vegetables such as carrots or parsnips to the mixture.
- Use any type of roast, from roast poultry to game meats, beef, pork, and sausages.
- Consider swapping the potatoes with sweet potatoes or yams.
- Replace half of the liquid in either recipe with a beer such as Guinness.
You can also vary spices and seasonings. The great thing about stovies is that there are numerous potential variations to suit your tastes.
Delicious Comfort Food
In Scotland, stovies are considered comfort foods. Feed your family this delicious and traditional Scottish dish the next time you have leftover roast and don't know what to do with it.
