Chef Johns Colcannon Food

COLCANNON

Steps:

• 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.

CHEF JOHN'S COLCANNON

Steps:

• Boil potatoes in a large pot of salted water until tender, about 10 minutes. Drain and transfer potatoes to a large bowl. Add 2 tablespoons butter and lightly mash the potatoes.
• Boil kale and leeks in a large pot of water until tender, 5 to 7 minutes. Drain and transfer kale and leeks to a blender. Add white parts of the green onions and 2 more tablespoons butter; blend until smooth, scraping down sides as needed, 1 to 3 minutes.
• Stir pureed kale mixture into the bowl of potatoes and continue to mash. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Add cream and stir until desired texture. Top with 2 tablespoons butter and green parts of the green onions.

CHEF JOHN'S COLCANNON

Steps:

• Boil potatoes in a large pot of salted water until tender, about 10 minutes. Drain and transfer potatoes to a large bowl. Add 2 tablespoons butter and lightly mash the potatoes.
• Boil kale and leeks in a large pot of water until tender, 5 to 7 minutes. Drain and transfer kale and leeks to a blender. Add white parts of the green onions and 2 more tablespoons butter; blend until smooth, scraping down sides as needed, 1 to 3 minutes.
• Stir pureed kale mixture into the bowl of potatoes and continue to mash. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Add cream and stir until desired texture. Top with 2 tablespoons butter and green parts of the green onions.

CHEF JOHN'S COLCANNON HASH

Steps:

• Place diced potatoes to a bowl of cold water. Drain. Rinse again in a fresh bowl of cold water. Continue rinsing in fresh water until potato starch has been removed and water remains clear, about 3 rinsings. Drain well.
• Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add pancetta and cook and stir until crisp, about 5 minutes. Remove pancetta from skillet with a slotted spoon; drain. Reserve oil.
• Cook potatoes in reserved oil in skillet over medium-high heat. Brown in one even layer until pieces are browned and crusted on the bottom. Stir; spread potatoes in a single layer again and brown. Repeat until potatoes are golden brown on all sides, about 8 minutes. Add butter and chopped green onions; cook and stir until onions have sweetened and softened up a bit, 3 to 4 minutes. Add reserved pancetta. Stir in chopped kale and cook until kale wilts. Add grated cheese; cook and stir briefly.
• Serve topped with a poached egg. Sprinkle with a pinch of cayenne pepper and chopped parsley.