What Luck! A New Recipe for St. Patrick's Day

   By ChefErin  Mar 14, 2011
7

 

St Patrick’s Day is just around the corner. Americans of all ethnicities embrace their inner leprechauns by wearing green and raising a pint to celebrate. Many partake in the ubiquitous Irish-American tradition of eating corned beef and cabbage, as well. But do we really like it? Good corned beef? Yes! But tasteless, cottony potatoes and wilted cabbage? Probably not. (Although the starch might keep the ghoulies at bay after too much green beer.)

 

Admittedly, potatoes and cabbage have been sustenance foods in Ireland for ages. I’m not knocking that, but they don’t have to be bland and boring! I suggest you shake up your menu and try a flavorful, classic Irish side dish ? Potatoes Colcannon.

 

Colcannon, Irish for “white-headed cabbage,” consists mainly of mashed potatoes with kale or cabbage though there are many variations.  It’s commonly served on St. Patrick’s Day and Halloween but once you’ve tried it, you’ll want to serve it year-round. It’s terrific with grilled sausages, roasted pork and ham.   

 

Potatoes Colcannon

Serves 8

 

Ingredients:

2 lbs (about 6) russet potatoes, peeled and quartered

8 tbsp (1 stick) butter, cut into small cubes

1/2 cup milk or cream

1 onion, finely chopped

3 cups coarsely chopped green cabbage

1/8 tsp grated nutmeg

salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste

 

 

Directions:

Put the potatoes in a large pot, add water to cover the potatoes by 2 inches and generously salt the water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and cook until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a knife, about 15 minutes.

 

While potatoes are cooking melt 2 tbsp of the butter in a heavy pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the cabbage and toss until tender-crisp, about 8 minutes. (If you are substituting kale for the cabbage, cook it a little longer to ensure that it’s tender ? about 15 minutes.) Sprinkle with nutmeg and season with salt and pepper.


Drain the tender-cooked potatoes, return them to the pot and mash well. Add the remaining 6 tbsp of butter, allow to melt, and stir to combine. Slowly stir in milk. Season with salt and pepper. Fold the potatoes into the cabbage mixture and serve warm.

*You can substitute 1 bunch curly kale (about 3/4 lb), stemmed and coarsely chopped

What do you serve on St. Patrick’s Day? Are there any traditional dishes you’d like to share?

 

May you have warm words on a cold evening, a full moon on a dark night, and the road downhill all the way to your door. Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

 

Make a Comment

 
SHARE
Comments
ChefErin by ChefErin | SEATTLE, WA
Mar 23, 2011

deb_mcb2000 - I am so pleased you liked them. Thanks for the feedback. ~ Chef Erin

deb_mcb2000 by deb_mcb2000 | carlton, PA
Mar 22, 2011

Oh my gosh...These are so tasty.....This recipe is a keeper!!!!!

ChefErin by ChefErin | SEATTLE, WA
Mar 16, 2011

My friend, Dawn, tried the Colcannon recipe last night. Here's her feedback - "Made your potatoes colcannon tonight. I first had them at Mustard's restaraunt in Napa and have never been able to recreate them until now! Thanks!"

thebutlerdidit by thebutlerdidit | CHEBOYGAN, MI
Mar 15, 2011

This looks like such a great comfort food recipe. I'm making this on St. Patrick's Day!

jlindseyc by jlindseyc | LEXINGTON, KY
Mar 14, 2011

i love kale! interested in trying it with that substitution.

BorgDog by BorgDog | Seattle, WA
Mar 14, 2011

This sounds fantastic. Thanks for the great St. Patty's Day recipe!

Peemahill by Peemahill | Jefferson, PA
Mar 14, 2011

Going to try this recipe, It looks yummy. Everything I have tired that Erin has published have been really delicious!!! My compliments to Erin!!!!!