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Boxty

Boxty

Boxty

 

1 cup (250g) mashed potato freshly made or leftovers

1 cup (250g) peeled and grated raw potato

1 ½ cups (220g) all-purpose flour (plain flour)

1 tsp. baking soda (bicarb of soda)

1 tsp. salt

1 cup (250ml) buttermilk (or 250ml milk with 2 tsp. white vinegar or lemon juice stirred in and left for 5 mins)

Butter or oil for frying

 

Wring the grated potato out in a clean tea towel to dry it out a little. Discard the starchy water. Add all ingredients except the buttermilk to a mixing bowl and stir well to combine. Stir in the buttermilk to make a thick batter. Heat a little oil or butter in a frying pan over a medium/low heat, then add tablespoonfuls of the boxty batter and fry until golden and cooked though, about 5 minutes per side. Flip and cook the other side.

If making batches, keep them warm in the oven.

Cast Iron Yorkshire Pudding

Cast Iron Yorkshire Pudding

Cast Iron Yorkshire Pudding

 

1½ cups all-purpose flour

¾ tsp. salt

3 eggs, room temperature

¾ cup water

½ cup beef drippings

¾ cup milk, room temperature

 

Mix flour and salt together until blended. Make a well in the flour, add the milk, and whisk until consistent. Beat the eggs into the batter. Add water and beat again until the mixture is light and frothy. Set aside for an hour (or, if it’s the day before, cover and place in the refrigerator overnight). If the batter has been refrigerated, allow it to come up to room temperature before using. When the roast beef is ready to come out of the oven, prepare the mixture. Preheat oven to 400°F. Pour off drippings from roast beef and measure out desired amount (about ½ cup should do). Pour drippings into a 10” cast iron skillet and place into the oven until the drippings sizzle. Immediately pour the batter over the drippings and bake for 30 minutes (or until the sides have risen and are golden brown). Cut and serve immediately. Extra au jus or beef drippings can be poured on top for added flavor.

Colcannon Cakes with Poached Eggs & Hollandaise

Colcannon Cakes with Poached Eggs & Hollandaise

Colcannon Cakes with Poached Eggs & Hollandaise

 

Colcannon:

 

2 1/2 pounds of russet potatoes, peeled and cut into large chunks

Salt

5 T. unsalted butter

3 lightly packed cups of chopped chard, kale, spinach, or cabbage

1/2 cup of green onion greens, chopped

1 cup milk or cream

Colcannon cakes:

 

About 3 cups of colcannon

1 cup flour

1 egg

2-3 teaspoons salt

4 T. butter or vegetable oil

Lemon for garnish

 

Poached Eggs, for serving

Hollandaise Sauce, for serving

Diced Scallion or Chives, for serving

 

Make the colcannon: Make the colcannon first (see our colcannon recipe.) Put potatoes in a pot, cover with cold, well salted water by an inch, bring to a boil, and cook until fork tender, about 15 to 20 minutes.  Drain the potatoes and remove them from the pot. Melt the butter in the still warm pot, add the chopped greens, cook for 3-4 minutes until wilted, then add the green onions and cook for another minute. Add the potatoes, milk or cream to the pot, mash until everything is well mixed.  Mix with egg, flour, salt, and chill: Mix the egg, flour and salt in with the colcannon. You may want to chill the mixture for 15 minutes or longer to make it easier to shape the patties.  Form into patties: Form into little cakes of whatever size you want but make them flat so they will cook through without burning. If the mixture is too wet, add more flour until the mixture is easy to shape. Fry until golden: Heat the butter or vegetable oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Working in batches, place the formed patties in the pan so they are not touching. Lower the heat to medium and gently fry until golden, about 3-4 minutes.  Turn and cook the other side. Let the cakes rest on a paper towel while you cook the others.  Top with Poached Egg, Hollandaise, and diced Scallion or Chives for garnish.

Gentleman’s Relish

Gentleman’s Relish

Gentleman’s Relish

 

200 g anchovies, drained & coarsely chopped

2 T. fresh white breadcrumbs

150 g butter

1⁄4 tsp. cayenne pepper

1 pinch ground cinnamon

1 pinch freshly ground nutmeg

1 pinch ground mace

1 pinch ground ginger

1 dash fresh ground black pepper (good twist)

 

Using a mortar and pestle, pound the anchovies and butter until they resemble a smooth paste. You could also use a food processor. Stir in the breadcrumbs, spices and pepper and spoon the paste into a large ramekin. Cover and chill before serving. Serve with scrambled eggs, toast, sandwiches and as a “kick” to savory sauces!

Scotch Woodcock (British Seasoned Scrambled Eggs)

Scotch Woodcock (British Seasoned Scrambled Eggs)

Scotch Woodcock (British Seasoned Scrambled Eggs)

4 large Eggs

½ C. Whole Milk

2 T. Capers, rinsed and drained

2 T.  chopped Fresh Flat Leaf Parsley

Pinch Cayenne Pepper

1 T. unsalted Butter

4 slices Sandwich Bread, toasted

2 T. Anchovy Paste (Can replace with Gentleman’s Relish)

4 Anchovy Fillets

Hot Sauce, for serving

 

Combine eggs, milk, pepper, capers and parsley in large bowl and whisk until well blended.  Melt the butter in a nonstick pan over medium low heat.  Pour in egg mixture and cook, stirring occasionally, until eggs are just about set, about 10 minutes.  Spread toast with anchovy paste and place 2 on each of two plates.  Spoon egg mixture over toast and top each mound with an anchovy fillet.  Serve warm with hot sauce.

Ploughman’s Sandwich

Ploughman’s Sandwich

Ploughman’s Sandwich

rosemary raisin bread

Olive oil

1 red onion, cut into thick slices through the root

6 T. balsamic vinegar

Salt and pepper

8 thick slices Raisin and Rosemary bread

A couple of knobs butter

1 curly leaf lettuce

8oz. Strong Cheddar Cheese, thickly sliced

 

To make the onion marmalade, heat a little oil in a pan, throw in the onion and leave on a low heat to cook down slowly, adding a little water if needed. When soft add the balsamic vinegar and continue to cook for a few minutes. Season the marmalade to taste. Spread the Raisin and Rosemary Bread with butter and make up each sandwich with lettuce leaves, onion marmalade, a couple of slices of Cheddar and seasoning.

British-Style Baked Beans

British-Style Baked Beans

British-Style Baked Beans

2 C. dried navy beans

1 T. vegetable oil

1 T. mustard powder

2 tsp. salt

1 tsp. freshly ground black pepper

1 C. diced onion

1/2 C. chopped red bell pepper

1 C. chopped celery

1(28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes

5 cloves Garlic

2 T. cider vinegar

1/4 C. unsulphured molasses

1/3 C. packed dark brown sugar

2 C. water

 

Add beans to deep bowl, cover with at least 3 inches of water and soak for 8 hours to overnight.  Rinse and drain.  Preheat oven to 350.  Combine oil, mustard, salt and pepper in a Dutch oven or large ovenproof proof pot over medium heat and cook, stirring, for 15 seconds or until mustard is absorbed by the oil.  Add onion, bell pepper and celery and continue to cook until onion is translucent, about 10 minutes.   Add soaked beans along with remaining ingredients.  Stir until well combined and sugar has dissolved.  Bake 6 hours, stirring every 30 minutes or so.  If they start to dry out, add a bit of water.  They are ready when the beans have a creamy texture.

Twist on Plowman’s Lunch

Twist on Plowman’s Lunch

I find something very appealing / comforting about the ploughman’s lunch.  Why?  I don’t know, I am not British 😂 This feels like a more Americanized version, without the Branson Pickle.  I’d still want onions, hah!

Great British Fry-Up Breakfast

Great British Fry-Up Breakfast

Great British Fry-Up Breakfast

8 pork and leek sausages

2 tomatoes – cut in half

1 tin of baked beans

8 rashers smoked dry-cured back bacon

4 field mushrooms

6 eggs, cracked into a bowl

Thick sliced bread for toasting

A knob of butter for toast

Freshly ground black pepper and Maldon sea salt

 

Preheat grill to high, set the oven to 100°C (212F)  and put in 4 plates. Using a nice large tray put the sausages, tomatoes (cut side up) and mushrooms under the grill, about 5cm from the heat and cook for around 15 mins, turning the sausages once or twice. After this time add to the tray the bacon and black pudding and leave until the bacon is cooked and crispy. Put the baked beans in a saucepan and warm gently. Put a non-stick frying pan on a low heat. Add a knob of butter and the eggs with some salt and pepper and stir gently until just scrambled and cooked. Put the bread down in the toaster, arrange the eggs, sausages, tomatoes and beans with the bacon and mushrooms on the plates and when the toast pops up, serve with tomato ketchup, HP sauce and a pot of tea

Traditional Ploughman’s Plate

Traditional Ploughman’s Plate

Pub food – the traditional Ploughman’s Plate with Scotch Eggs, cheeses, farmer’s bread, Branston Pickle, etc.

 

 

 

(I am not a fan of that Branston Pickle!)

 

 

Welsh Rarebit with Wild Onions

Welsh Rarebit with Wild Onions

Welsh Rarebit with Wild Onions

 

2 T. (30 mL) butter

½ cup (125 mL) finely chopped wild onions

2 Tbsp (30 mL) flour

1 tsp (5 mL) French’s mustard powder (or 1 Tbsp [15 mL] prepared mustard)

1 cup (250 mL) milk

½ cup (125 mL) apple cider (or beer)

1 tsp. (5 mL) Worcestershire sauce

½ cup (125 mL) blue cheese (like Stilton)

½ cup (125 mL) aged white cheddar cheese

salt and pepper, to taste

4 slices good rustic bread

additional chopped wild onions, for garnish

 

Preheat the oven to broil. In a saucepan over medium-high heat, melt the butter. Add the wild onions and sauté for 1– 2 minutes. Add the flour and mustard powder and whisk until a smooth paste is formed. Add the milk, cider, and Worcestershire sauce. Whisk until the sauce thickens. Reduce the heat to low and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Grate the cheeses. Add to the sauce and stir until melted and the sauce has thickened. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if necessary. Remove from the heat and allow to cool. Toast the bread lightly and place on a baking tray, top with the cooled sauce, making an even thick layer. Sprinkle with the additional raw wild onions. Place under the broiler and cook until the sauce begins to brown and the onions slightly char, about 3– 4 minutes. Serve immediately. Reserve any extra sauce; it makes a great topping for tuna or salmon melts.

Rose Petal Scones

Rose Petal Scones

Rose Petal Scones

 

2 1/4 cup all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons granulated sugar

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

3/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, ground

1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, chilled

1/3 cup pistacchio nuts, shelled, unsalted, and coarsely ground

1 cup heavy cream, chilled

1 tablespoon rose water*

2 tablespoons rose petals, cleaned and finely shredded (organic only – no pesticides)**

 

1 cup powdered sugar (confectioners’ sugar)

3 tablespoons rose water

1 tablespoon red currant jelly

 

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Lightly spray a large baking sheet with vegetable-oil cooking spray. In a large bowl, sift together flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. With a pastry blender or two knives, cut butter into flour mixture until particles are the size of small peas; stir in pistachio nuts. In a separate bowl, combine cream and rose water. Stir in the shredded rose petals. Add the rose mixture to the dry ingredients; stir until a soft dough forms. When making scones, work the dough quickly and do not over mix. Note: Scones can be cut into any shape you desire. Use a drinking glass to make circles, or cut into squares or wedges with a knife. Dip the edges of the cutter in flour to prevent the dough from sticking. Do not pat the edges of the scone down; instead leave the cuts as sharp as possible to allow the scones to rise in layers. Drop dough by the teaspoonful onto the prepared baking sheet. Bake approximately 10 to 12 minutes or until golden brown. A good check is to use an instant digital thermometer to test your scones. The temperature of the scones should be at 200 degrees F. when done. While scones are baking, prepare Icing. Remove scones from oven to a baking rack to cool slightly, then drizzle the prepared Icing over the scones while still warm. Makes 24 scones. Rose Water Icing Instructions: In a bowl, combine powdered sugar, rose water, and red current jelly until smooth. NOTE: If the icing is to thick, add another teaspoon of rose water.

Gourmand’s Working Lunch

Gourmand’s Working Lunch

Gourmand’s Working Lunch

 

GREENS: Make good on the last handful of any green leaves in the refrigerator or the leavings of last night’s salad, like a hearty kale number that doesn’t wilt in the refrigerator

PROTEIN: A soft-boiled egg is perfect here, but feel free to lean on charcuterie or the last knobs of a soft cheese.

 

SOMETHING PICKLED: Cornichons, kimchi, sauerkraut, or pickled onions all work here.

 

BREAD OR CRACKERS: Add in the few lone crackers or last piece of bread in the house—toasted, if needed, drizzled with oil.

 

SAUCES: Mustard, chimichurri, a dollop of Tahini Green Goddess Dressing  or even your premade hummus will come in handy here.

 

FRUIT: Sliced apples, pears, grapes, fresh figs, plums, cherries, or dried apricots add a sweet finish. A piece of good dark chocolate wouldn’t be wrong here either.

British Sage & Fennel Sausage Rolls

British Sage & Fennel Sausage Rolls

British Sage & Fennel Sausage Rolls

1 1/2 lb. ground pork (85% meat, 15% fat) (680g)

2 tsp. fennel seeds, lightly crushed

1 tsp. freshly grated nutmeg

1 tsp. ground sage

1 tsp. dried thyme leaves

1 tsp. freshly ground black pepper

1/2 tsp. salt

For the Pastry

1.3 lb rough puff pastry or puff pastry (600g)

1 large egg, beaten

 

Place the ground pork in a large mixing bowl and add the spices.  Mix with a fork until well combined.  Don’t mix any longer than necessary, or the meat mixture will get tough. Cut two large pieces of plastic wrap and lay them flat on the counter.  Divide the meat mixture between the two pieces, then shape them into logs.  Make sure each log is well wrapped in the plastic wrap. Chill the logs in the fridge while you get the pastry ready. Preheat the oven to 400 F.  Line an 11 by 17-inch rimmed cookie sheet with parchment paper.  Crack the egg into a small bowl and beat a fork until well blended. Roll out the pastry on a lightly floured surface until it’s just a bit longer than the meat logs (roughly 10×18 inches).  Cut the rectangle in half lengthwise. Unwrap the meat logs, then lay them on top of the pastry rectangles. Brush one long side of the pastry rectangle with beaten egg, then roll the pastry tightly over the sausage so the pastry overlaps.  Pinch the seam closed, then place the roll seam side down. Place both logs on a small parchment-lined cookie sheet and brush them all over with beaten egg.  Chill in the freezer for 10 minutes or in the fridge for 30 minutes to harden the pastry.  This is an important step; don’t skip it. Slice the roll into about 12 pieces and place the sausage rolls about an inch apart on the prepared cookie sheet. Bake at 400 F for 35-40 minutes, until the pastry is well browned and the meat is cooked.  Test the meat’s temperature by stacking two or three sausage rolls and sticking a meat thermometer through the center of the rolls.  The temperature should be 160 F. Immediately transfer the sausage rolls to a wire rack to cool a little.  Serve warm with HP sauce or English mustard.

Open-Faced Steak and Cheese Sandwiches with Malt Vinegar Jus

Open-Faced Steak and Cheese Sandwiches with Malt Vinegar Jus

Open-Faced Steak and Cheese Sandwiches with Malt Vinegar Jus

 

1 ½ pounds flank steak

1/4 cup malt vinegar

2 tablespoons whole-grain mustard

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

2 tablespoons canola oil

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Kosher salt

1/2 cup beef or chicken broth

1 soft baguette, cut in half and then halved lengthwise (or 4 hoagie buns, split)

12 ounces Gouda cheese, thinly sliced

 

Place the flank steak in a casserole dish. Whisk the vinegar, whole grain mustard, Dijon mustard, 1 tablespoon of the oil, and pepper together in a small bowl, and pour the marinade over the steak. Cover with plastic wrap and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour, and up to 24 hours. Transfer the steak to a plate, leaving as much marinade as possible in the dish. (Reserve the marinade.) Rub the steak with the remaining tablespoon of the oil, then season with salt on both sides. Preheat the oven to 4OO°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside. Preheat a hot fire (about 5OO°F) in a gas or charcoal grill. When the grill is hot, brush the grilling grates clean. Grill the steak over direct high heat, keeping the lid closed as much as possible, until cooked to your desired doneness, about 5 minutes for medium-rare, turning one time during cooking. Transfer the steak to a cutting board and let rest for 10 minutes. Transfer the marinade to a small saucepan, stir in the broth, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Arrange the baguette sections cut side up on the prepared baking sheet. Drizzle the baguettes with the sauce. Slice the steak as thinly as possible, divide the slices (and their juices) among the baguette pieces, and top with the cheese. Bake the open-faced sandwiches for about 5 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbling and the bread is toasted.

Buck Rarebit

Buck Rarebit

2 large eggs

2 slices of your favorite bread

1/4 pint milk

1 T. plain flour

1 tsp. mustard powder

1 oz. butter

2 oz. sharp cheddar cheese — grated

1 very small dash of vinegar

1 C. baked beans in tomato sauce (about 3/4 of a 16 oz can)

Salt and pepper to taste

 

In a medium sauce pan, whisk together milk, flour, mustard and butter, then slowly bring mixture to a boil, continuing to whisk until mixture thickens. Let simmer for 1 minute, and then stir in half of the cheese and any seasonings you like. Set aside. Preheat the oven to 375 F. Fill a large frying pan with salted water, add the vinegar and bring to the boil. Meanwhile, empty the beans into a pan and bring to the boil, simmer for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Crack the eggs onto two saucers, then when the water is simmering, tip them into the pan, reduce the heat so the water gently bubbles around the eggs, and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, depending on how you like your eggs cooked. Meanwhile, toast the bread. Arrange the toast on two heatproof serving plates, top with the baked beans, then a place a poached egg on top of each. Spoon over the cheese sauce, then sprinkle over the remaining cheese. Place the whole plate in the oven (or better yet, a toaster oven) at about 375 F. and cook for 2 to 6 minutes, until golden.

 

 

Yield:

Calories:

Fat:

Fiber:

Traditional Irish Corned Beef and Cabbage

Traditional Irish Corned Beef and Cabbage

Traditional Irish Corned Beef and Cabbage

3 pounds corned beef brisket with spice packet

10 small red potatoes

5 carrots, peeled and cut into 3-inch pieces

1 large head cabbage, cut into small wedges

 

Place corned beef in large pot or Dutch oven and cover with water. Add the spice packet that came with the corned beef. Cover pot and bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Simmer approximately 50 minutes per pound or until tender. Add whole potatoes and carrots, and cook until the vegetables are almost tender. Add cabbage and cook for 15 more minutes. Remove meat and let rest 15 minutes. Place vegetables in a bowl and cover. Add as much broth (cooking liquid reserved in the Dutch oven or large pot) as you want. Slice meat across the grain.

 

Rhubarb Scones

Rhubarb Scones

Rhubarb Scones

 

1 cup chopped rhubarb (about 2–3 medium-size stalks,

cut into 1⁄4-inch pieces)

1⁄3 cup granulated sugar, divided

2 3⁄4 cups all-purpose flour

1 T. baking powder

1 tsp. baking soda

1⁄2 tsp. salt

8 T. unsalted butter, cubed and frozen

1 cup buttermilk

Raw or large-crystal sugar

Americanized Devonshire Cream (see below)

Small-Batch Strawberry-Rhubarb (see below)

 

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Combine rhubarb with 1 T. sugar in a small bowl. Place remaining sugar, flour, baking powder, soda, and salt in the bowl of a food processor with a metal blade; pulse twice to combine. Scatter butter over flour mixture, and process until mixture resembles coarse meal. Slowly add buttermilk, and process just until a soft dough forms. Place dough on a lightly floured surface. Sprinkle rhubarb mixture on top. Using an ice-cream scoop, spoon 16 (1⁄4-cup-size) dough rounds onto a parchment paper-lined baking sheet, about 1 inch apart. Sprinkle lightly with raw or large-crystal sugar. Bake for 25 minutes. The recipe makes 16 rhubarb scones. Serve warm with Americanized Devonshire Cream and Small-Batch Strawberry-Rhubarb Jam.

 

Americanized Devonshire Cream: Combine 1 cup whipped cream cheese spread, 1 cup sour cream, and 1⁄4 cup granulated sugar in a medium-size bowl. Whisk together until creamy and thick. Makes 2 cups.

 

Strawberry-Rhubarb Jam

 

31⁄2 cups chopped rhubarb (about 8 medium-size stalks,

cut into 1⁄2-inch pieces)

3 cups strawberries, hulled and halved

1 1⁄2 cups sugar

2 T. orange juice

 

Combine rhubarb, strawberries, sugar, and orange juice in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil; reduce heat to medium-low, and cook 45–50 minutes. Fruit will cook down and thicken. Stir occasionally to prevent burning. Cool; cover and refrigerate. No canning is required for this great, 4-ingredient homemade jam. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 3 weeks.