Chefs' Recipes

Colcannon

This is chef Colin Fassnidge's take on colcannon, Ireland's favourite mashed potato dish. Don't be afraid of the butter, and serve with plenty of crusty bread.

By Colin Fassnidge
  • 20 mins preparation
  • 1 hr cooking
  • Serves 6
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Colcannon
"One of the first dishes I can remember eating, colcannon is an Irish staple. It may be one of the simplest recipes here but it's the one that will receive the most praise. Simplicity at its best."

Ingredients

  • 10 Desiree potatoes (about 1.6kg), unpeeled
  • 500 gm rock salt
  • 1 small bunch young cavolo nero, stalks removed, leaves coarsely chopped
  • 3 small spring onions, thinly sliced
  • 200 ml pouring cream, warmed
  • 50 gm softened butter
  • ½ cup flat-leaf parsley, coarsely chopped (firmly packed)
  • For drizzling: extra-virgin olive oil
  • To serve: crusty bread

Method

Main
  • 1
    Preheat oven to 180C. Place potatoes on a tray lined with rock salt and bake until tender (45 minutes-1 hour). Working quickly while potatoes are hot, and holding them in a tea towel, scoop flesh from skin and pass through a mouli or potato ricer into a saucepan (see note). Add cavolo nero, spring onion, cream and butter and stir over low heat to warm through. Add parsley, season to taste, dress with olive oil and serve hot with crusty bread.

Notes

Moulis and potato ricers are available from kitchenware shops. Alternatively, you can mash the potato with a hand masher.
This recipe is from the August 2010 issue of
.

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