Colcannon for #StPatricksDay

Today we are sharing St. Patrick's Day Recipes with our Festive Foodies group under the direction of our friend Carlee from Cooking with Carlee.

Our pastor is from Ireland and it tickles him that St. Patrick's Day is such a thing here.  Evidently it is not celebrated in Ireland as it is here.  In fact, the thought of green beer?  Well, it makes him turn green LOL.

He, however, is always up for a toast and a party so perhaps that is where the American tradition started.  Whatever the reason.....we do whoop it up around here.  We have parades.  We eat corned beef and cabbage.   We party and yes, we drink beer tinted green.

I often have dinner parties to celebrate St. Patrick's Day, especially since my brother's birthday is on the 18th of March.  We are not Irish but it gives me a theme for his birthday dinner when we have it.

The dish I am serving today wasn't made for my brother's birthday but it was made for a family dinner and served along with a Roast Pork Loin and a wonderful Apple/Fennel and Beet Salad.  

This combination of potatoes, cabbage and kale hails from Medieval Ireland and comes from the Gaelic, cal ceannann, which means white headed cabbage.

The recipe that I'm sharing with you today comes from Cuisine at Home and was part of a Springtime menu that they shared.  I actually made the entire menu for dinner and was very pleased with the outcome. 

Creamy and delicious, these potatoes take no more work than regular mashed potatoes but add lots of nutrition with the cruciferous veggies that are included.  Everything gets boiled up together, drained and placed back into the pan and onto the burner for a few minutes to make sure the ingredients are dry before adding the butter and cream and hand mashing to a delicious finish.  The final touch is to stir in some grated Irish white cheddar and the results are magnificent.

This recipe fed 6 of us for dinner with just enough left over for me to make Colcannon Potato Pancakes for Meatless Monday the next day for dinner for me and Frank.

You will find a whole slew of St. Pat's recipes linked below and there is tons of time for you to plan your celebration.  

Colcannon

adapted from Cuisine at Home

4 large gold potatoes, scrubbed and quartered

1/2 head of cabbage, cored and sliced

1 bunch kale, stems removed, coarsely chopped

1/2 stick butter

1/2 c. half and half

3 oz. white cheddar cheese, shredded

salt and pepper to taste

Place the potatoes and cabbage in a large pot and cover with salted water.  Bring to a gentle boil and cook for 10 minutes.  Add the kale and continue to cook until potatoes are for tender, another 10 minutes or so.  Drain, return to the pot and place over low heat, stirring occasionally until all ingredients are dry.  Place the half and half and butter in a small saucepan or microwave safe measuring cup and heat until warm and butter is melted.  Add to the potatoes and mash by hand.  Stir in the cheese. Taste and season with salt and pepper, as needed.  Print Recipe

More St. Pat's Recipes

• Beef and Guinness Pie from Everyday Eileen
• Chocolate Guinness Cake from Cindy's Recipes and Writings
• Chocolate Irish Cream Truffles from The Freshman Cook
• Celtic Knot Rolls from Cooking With Carlee
• Colcannon from A Day in the Life on the Farm
• Colcannon with Kale from Simple and Savory
• Corned Beef and Cabbage from Tip Garden
• Corned Beef Sliders with Horseradish Sauce from New South Charm
• Double Chocolate Fudge for St. Patrick's Day from Hezzi-D's Books and Cooks
• Fisherman's Pie from Karen's Kitchen Stories
• Instant Pot and Slow Cooker Dublin Coddle from All That's Jas
• Irish Cheddar & Dried Cherry Soda Bread from Faith, Hope, Love & Luck
• Irish Potato Leek Soup from House of Nash Eats
• Irish Pub Salad from Cookaholic Wife
• Irish Soda Bread Muffins from Jolene's Recipe Journal
• Irish Soda Bread Scones from Strawberry Blondie Kitchen
• Leprechaun Bait from Palatable Pastime
• Pretzel Shamrocks from Family Around the Table
• St. Patrick's Day Lucky Chow from Soulfully Made