Irish Potato

Irish Potato  - Irish Potato Cake Recipe
Irish Potato cake was originally created as a way of using up the leftovers of mashed potato. It is usually served to accompany a traditional Irish breakfast and is also a popular daytime snack particular in the province of Ulster. Potato cake is usually served warm and buttered, either grilled or fried. Toppings such as marmalade, honey, maple syrup or jam are added for sweetness, an Irish version of the pancake! Potato cake is also a savoury treat, serve with baked beans instead of toast for an Irish twist to beans on toast! Potato cake is also known by a variety of other names including Potato bread, Fadge, Slims, Farls and Tatie bread, it is a very traditional dish. To make potato cake, a portion of the flour is replaced with potato, the amount of flour replaced by potato depend on taste, a simple recipe for potato cake is below.

Picture of a Irish Potato Cake

Irish Potato - Potato Cake Recipe
Potato cake is also known as potato 'farls'. It is popular in both Northern and Southern Ireland and is an essential ingredient in the 'Ulster Fry' breakfast famous in Northern Ireland. Unlike soda bread, the dough is rolled out until almost flat, it is then cut into quarters and fried or cooked on a griddle rather than baked in an oven.

Irish Potato Cake - Ingredients

• 450 g (16 oz) warm cooked potato, mashed

• 1 tsp salt

• 50 g (2 oz) unsalted butter or margarine (melted)

• 100 g (4 oz) plain flour

Irish Potato Cake - Method

• Add the salt and butter to a large bowl

• Sift in enough flour to make a pliable dough, add more as necessary

• Divide the dough into four equal parts

• Roll the dough out on a floured surface creating four circles 22 cm (approx 9 in) in diameter and 5 mm (approx 1/4 in) thick

• Cut each circle into quarters and bake on a hot griddle or pan for about 5 minutes or until brown on both sides

Irish Potato Cake - Ideas

• For a drier cake use a dusting of flour instead of butter to grease the baking surface

• For a healthier option with less fat, replace the fresh mashed potato with dried potato flakes

 

Irish Potato - Potato Casserole Recipe
Irish potato casserole is a great dish to serve on a cold winters evening! Try cooking the casserole in a slow cooker, simply add the ingredients in the morning and it will be cooked to perfection when you return from work, delicious! Serve with warm homemade wheaten bread with lots of Irish butter, perfection!

Irish Potato recipe - Ingredients

1lb potatoes
1lb carrots
1lb onions
salt & pepper
pinch of mixed herbs

Irish Potato recipe - Method

• Put the potatoes in a large saucepan

• Sprinkle the mixed spice over the potatoes

• Fill the pan with enough cold water to cover the potatoes

• Bring slowly to the boil

• Simmer for an hour

• Add the carrots and onions

• Season with salt and pepper

• Continue cooking until potatoes and vegetable are soft

• Serve with warm home made wheaten bread or cabbage

 

Irish Potato - Potato and Cheese
There are lots of recipes that combine the potato with a variety of cheeses. A great choice for vegetarians! Try using goats cheese for a stronger taste. Simple dishes such as jacket potato with a cheese topping can be made unique by adding a selection of different cheeses, everyone loves four cheese pizza, why not try this with your next jacket potato? Try grating some cheese to use as a delicious topping for your mashed potato, delicious!

Irish Potato - List of Irish Potato Varieties
There are hundreds of different varieties of potato and their size and color varies greatly from the tiny new charlotte potatoes to the large Marfona variety which is ideal for jacket potatoes. Certain varieties of potato grow particularly well in Irish soil including Roosters, Desiree and Kerr's Pinks.

Irish Potato - Kerr's Pinks
Kerr's pinks are suitable for a variety of cooking methods including boiling, steaming and for chips. They are white to pale pink in appearance with a creamy colored flesh. A beautiful 'floury' potato variety, care should be taken when cooking.

Irish Potato - Roosters
Roosters are the most common potato in Ireland and are available all year round. They have a red skin with a yellow colored flesh, the freshly harvested potatoes in the picture below are roosters. They have a less 'floury' texture than other varieties and are suitable for roasting, boiling and steaming.

Irish Potato - Golden Wonder
Golden Wonder potatoes are the most traditional Irish potato. The Golden Wonder is an extremely floury potato and is recommended for boiling and steaming, they also make delicious chips.

Irish Potato - Queens
Queens are a great all round potato, very floury and ideal for boiling, steaming or roasting. They are a very popular early potato and can be identified by their white flesh.

Irish Potato - Desiree
Desiree potatoes are a popular choice, they are a versatile potato variety and are ideal for use in potato salads as well as boiling or roasting. Desiree potatoes can be identified by their red skin and yellow flesh.

Picture of a Freshly Harvested Irish Rooster Potatoes

Irish Potato Salad
Irish potato salad is a great accompaniment to any dish and a must for parties and family gatherings! Potato salad is a very popular choice and a simple yet delicious dish. The eggs can be left out of the potato salad if preferred or try adding some olive oil and a spring of parsley to garnish for that extra special touch!

• 6 medium sized potatoes (peeled and cut into chunks)

• 1 cup Mayonnaise

• 1 Cup Celery (thinly sliced)

• 2 Tablespoons Vinegar

• 1 Teaspoon salt

• 1 teaspoon sugar

• 1/4 tsp. black pepper (ground)

• 2 hard-boiled eggs (chopped)

• 1 medium onion (finely chopped)

Irish Potato Salad - Method

• Place potatoes in a large saucepan of boiling water and cook for about 15 minutes or until the potatoes are soft (don't overcook!)

• Drain and allow potatoes to cool

• Mix the mayonnaise, sugar, salt and pepper in a large bowl

• Add mixture to the potatoes

• Add the celery, eggs and onions and mix carefully (don't mash the salad!)

• Put in the refrigerator to chill

Irish Potato - Cheesy Potato Soup Recipe
Potato soup with cheese is a great starter for any meal and perfect for vegetarians! Try serving the potato soup with freshly baked Irish wheaten bread, perfect!