Colcannon

Irish style mashed potatoes with leeks and cabbage make for a tasty St. Patty's day side dish.

Colcannon is the perfect addition to any Saint Patrick's Day feast. Skip the bland boiled potatoes and cabbage and serve this creamy flavorful alternative.

Colcannon

With as many recipes for Colcannon as there are drunk people dressed in green during a Saint Patrick's Day pub crawl, you really can't go wrong with some done up mashed potatoes like these.

The addition of cabbage adds some texture to the creaminess of the potatoes. While the leeks and garlic add a boost of flavor that turns mashed potatoes into the perfect side dish to serve alongside Homemade Corned Beef.

Ingredients

• 4 - 5 Yukon Gold potatoes (about 1 1/2 to 2 lbs.)

• 4 tablespoons butter, plus more to top

• 2 leeks, white and light green parts only

• 2 cloves of garlic

• 1 - 2 cups of packed shredded cabbage

• 1 1/4 cup of milk

• 1/2 cup of heavy whipping cream

• Kosher salt and pepper to taste

• Green onions to garnish

Unwashed Leek

Washing leeks

Leeks ready to cook

Leeks are grown in sandy soil and often are full of sand. Be sure to wash and dry your leeks.

Directions

1. Prep and clean the leeks. Trim the root end and cut in half length-wise, slice into small ribbons. Wash to remove any sand that is trapped in between the layers of the leeks. Be sure to dry your leeks in a salad spinner or on a clean kitchen towel.

2. Bring a pot of water to a boil while you peel and chop potatoes into equal size pieces. This will reduce the amount of time it takes to cook the potatoes. Cook until fork tender.

3. In a medium saucepan, melt 4 tablespoons of butter (1/2 a stick) over medium-high heat. Add leeks, stirring to coat in melted butter. Cook the leeks down until they are very soft, about 10 mins. Add garlic and cook until leeks are starting to brown and the garlic has become fragrant, about 2 minutes.

4. Add milk and heavy whipping cream and bring to a rolling simmer. Once it is simmering, add cabbage.

5. After potatoes are cooked and are fork tender, drain and return to the empty cooking pot to steam, lid off, to reduce the moisture in the potatoes. Allow to steam for 4 to 5 minutes. Once steamed and cooled slightly, pass potatoes through a ricer to create silky smooth potatoes.

6. Add the leek milk mixture to the potatoes and stir until combined.

7. Add salt and pepper to taste. It will need at least 1 to 2 teaspoons for kosher salt.

8. Serve topped with butter and the green onions.

   
   

Colcannon makes an excellent side dish for any Saint Patrick's Day Irish feast. Bursting with flavor, it goes far beyond traditional boiled potatoes and cabbage. Serve alongside Homemade Corned Beef and a pint of your favorite Irish stout beer and everyone will be feeling lucky this Saint Patrick's Day. Remember, life is too short to eat bad food, so skip the boiled meat, potatoes and cabbage this Saint Patrick's Day.