Colcannon Mash

Serves 4 - 6

Preparation:  40 mins

Cooking Time: About 40 mins

Colcannon is an Irish Mashed Potato dish usually made from mashed potatoes with shredded cabbage or kale and different versions can include finely chopped bacon, Spring onions.   This dish is traditionally served on St. Patrick's Day.

To make this really luxurious, I have put in all the ingredients down below for a fabulously creamy result!   It is so good, it is almost a meal on its own!

Ingredients

1kg potato, peeled and cut into medium sized chunks

100g butter

200ml whole cream milk

Salt and Pepper

One bunch of spring onions, finely chopped including the green parts

140g sliced back bacon, finely chopped (optional)

1 small Sweetheart Cabbage, Savoy cabbage or kale, finely shredded

150ml double cream (optional)

AND THIS IS WHAT YOU DO....

1. Tip the potatoes into a large saucepan of salted water. Bring to the boil, then simmer for 15-20 mins, or until the flesh is tender when pierced.
   
   
2. Meanwhile, heat some of the butter in a saucepan, then fry the bacon, spring onions, and half the cabbage for 5 mins. Turn off the heat and set aside.  
   
   
3. The remainder of the cabbage can be either steamed or fry/steamed in a pan for about five minutes so as to retain some of its crunch.
   
   
4. As soon as the potatoes are cooked, drain out the water and add the remainder of the butter plus the milk and mash until smooth and creamy.   (A potato ricer is essential to ensure there are no lumps).
   
   
5. Heat cream and, when almost boiling, beat into the potato.
   
   
6. Add bacon, spring onions and cabbage to potato and mix.
   
   
7. Season according to taste.