Colcannon - An Irish delicacy ....

Breathing in from a hot oven in winter gives me immense pleasure and the much needed warmth. There is only so much that one can crib about the weather ;) I did that for a season or two and then found me some ways to enjoy the things that can be done when huddled indoors aka lotsa' baking ;) After all, the winters will roll in, whether it is your favorite season or not!!
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My search for baked goods led me to an interesting Irish recipe for baked potato and cabbage!
I've seen a lot of versions of Colcannon, potato and cabbage being the most commonly used ingredients. It can contain other ingredients like onions, leeks or chives. The original version uses bacon bits and the fat leftover from frying bacon is used to cook the dish. Many use garlic, but it seems to be an optional ingredient and can be added to give another layer of flavor if you like it. I gather, one can use either cream or milk to bake the dish. I've also noticed the use of cheese in many recipes. There are also some innovative additions, like greens in the recipe. I guess the recipe can easily be adapted to one's taste, which I think is the beauty of this dish.

Here is what I came up with for the vegetarian version.

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1 cup chopped cabbage
1 cup diced potato
1 cup milk/cream (can use cream for a richer taste)
salt/pepper as per taste
a pinch nutmeg
1 small onion thinly sliced
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped (use as per taste)
1-2 tbsp oil/butter
1-2 tbsp grated cheese (optional)
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1. Boil cabbage and potato. This can be done either on a stove top or in a microwave.
2. Add salt and pepper to taste and mash it.
3. Heat oil/butter, add onion and garlic, saute for just two minutes, do no let brown.
4. Add milk, bring to a boil and simmer for a couple of minutes. Add nutmeg.
5. Grease a baking dish and add potato mixture. Cover with milk mixture and check for seasoning. Top with cheese(if using) and bake in a pre-heated oven for 45 minutes at 350.
Enjoy steaming hot Colcannon!
Don't be fooled by the simple ingredients, it makes for one warm and yummy dish!

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NOTE: Please note that I've shaped it into discs for photographs only. This is a white colored baked dish and was one tough dish to photograph, hence this presentation :)
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A few more dishes for the Potato/Alu lover in you :)

Baby Alu Jeera Fry

Vatana Bateta Tameta nu Shaak