St. Patrick's Day: Colcannon

Most everyone has Corned Beef and Cabbage for St. Patrick’s Day. I don’t really like it though and we usually have Hamburger Gravy that I add green food coloring to! It is what my Mom always made us too! It’s good and simple. And honestly doesn’t feel like St. Patrick’s Day if we don’t have it! However, I wanted to try a different recipe this year. I stumbled upon this recipe for Colcannon. It’s really easy to make, basically its mashed potatoes with Cabbage! And it is super Yummy! Honestly I was a little leery at first but it's soo good!

 

Here’s what you’ll need:

4 large russet potatoes, peeled and cubed

½ cup (1 stick) butter

1 cup milk, whole preferably

Freshly ground black pepper

1 cup finely shredded cabbage

½ cup (4 pieces) bacon, cooked and chopped

4-6 green onions, finely chopped (I forgot to buy them! Oops)

1TBSP + 1tsp (divided) Salt

Pepper to taste

 

Here’s how you make it:

In a large saucepan, place the potatoes, 1 Tbsp of salt, and enough water to just cover the tops of the potatoes. Bring to a boil, and reduce to a simmer. Allow to simmer until just fork tender, about 20 minute’s .In another saucepan, place shredded cabbage and 1 tsp salt. Add 1TBSP water, and lightly saute. You don't want to brown the cabbage just cook it for a little bit, I like to saute it instead of steam it. You want to soften it, but not enough that it becomes too soft. It should still have a little crunch. Once the cabbage is tender, add the milk and ½ stick of butter. Add several cranks of black pepper. Bring temperature up just until milk is hot and butter is melted. Do Not Boil. Stir in green onions and the bacon. When potatoes are tender, drain, reserving a cup of the potato cooking liquid, and return them to the pot. Mash potatoes, stirring in the hot milk/cabbage mixture. If you need a little more liquid, add some of the potato cooking water. But be careful the cooking liquid is very salty, as is the bacon. Use all of the milk first. To serve, mound potatoes in a serving bowl. Make a well in the center and place the remaining half stick of butter, melted.

 *Tip: I had plenty of milk and didn't even use all of it, add a little at a time!

ENJOY!