Ultimate Colcannon
3 lbs. potatoes, scrubbed
2 sticks butter
1 � cups hot milk
Freshly ground black pepper
1 head cabbage, cored and chopped
1 (1-pound) piece ham or bacon, cooked the day before
4 scallions, finely chopped
Chopped parsley leaves, for garnish
Steam the potatoes in their skins for 30 minutes. Peel them using a
knife and fork. Chop with a knife before mashing. Mash thoroughly to
remove all the lumps. Add 1 stick of butter in pieces. Gradually add hot
milk, stirring all the time. Season with a few grinds of black pepper.
Boil the cabbage in unsalted water until it turns a darker color. Add 2
tablespoons butter to tenderize it. Cover with lid for 2 minutes. Drain
thoroughly before returning it to the pan. Chop into small pieces.
Put the ham in a large saucepan and cover with water. Bring to the boil
and simmer for 45 minutes until tender. Drain. Remove any fat and chop
into small pieces.
Add cabbage, scallions, and ham to mashed potatoes, stirring them in
gently.
Serve in individual soup plates. Make an indentation on the top by
swirling a wooden spoon. Put 1 tablespoon of butter into each
indentation. Sprinkle with parsley. |