Dandelion Or Chard Colcannon Food

DANDELION OR CHARD COLCANNON

Steps:

• Place potatoes in a saucepan and cover by an inch with water. Bring to a boil, add salt to taste, reduce heat to medium-low and cover partially. Simmer until tender, 25 to 30 minutes. Drain, return to pot and cover pot tightly. Let steam in the dry pot for 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, stem dandelion greens or chard, wash in 2 changes of water, and chop fine. You should have 5 to 6 cups chopped greens.
• Heat olive oil over medium heat in a heavy skillet and add leek and a generous pinch of salt. Cook, stirring, until leek is tender but not browned, 3 to 5 minutes. Add greens, a handful at a time, and stir until each addition has wilted enough to make room for more. When all greens have been added, turn heat to medium, add salt to taste, and stir over medium heat for 5 minutes, until greens are completely wilted and somewhat tender (dandelion greens will remain tough). Remove from heat.
• Mash potatoes with a potato masher or in a standing mixer fitted with the paddle. Heat 3/4 cup of the milk with butter until butter melts, and gradually add to potatoes. Add wilted greens and leeks and mix until well blended. If desired, add the last 1/4 cup milk. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve hot.

COLCANNON

Steps:

• Tip the potatoes into a large saucepan of water. Bring to the boil, then simmer for 15-20 mins, or until the flesh is tender when pierced.
• Meanwhile, heat quarter of the butter in a saucepan, then fry the bacon and half the cabbage for 5 mins (see Kevin's tip, below, for how to use remaining cabbage). Turn off the heat and set aside. Drain potatoes in a colander and peel while still hot.
• Mash potato until smooth. Heat cream with remaining butter and, when almost boiling, beat into the potato. Add bacon and cabbage to potato and mix. Season if you want.

DIANE'S COLCANNON

Steps:

• Place potatoes in a saucepan with enough water to cover. Bring to a boil, and cook for 15 to 20 minutes, until tender.
• Place bacon in a large, deep skillet. Cook over medium high heat until evenly brown. Drain, reserving drippings, crumble and set aside. In the reserved drippings, saute the cabbage and onion until soft and translucent. Putting a lid on the pan helps the vegetables cook faster.
• Drain the cooked potatoes, mash with milk and season with salt and pepper. Fold in the bacon, cabbage, and onions, then transfer the mixture to a large serving bowl. Make a well in the center, and pour in the melted butter. Serve immediately.

CARROT, PARSNIP AND POTATO COLCANNON

Steps:

• Place potatoes, carrots, and parsnips in a saucepan and cover by an inch with water. Add salt to taste, bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium-low and cover partially. Simmer until tender, 25 to 30 minutes. Drain, return to pot and cover pot tightly. Leave to steam in covered pot for 5 minutes. Peel potatoes.
• Meanwhile, heat olive oil over medium heat in a heavy skillet and add leek. Cook, stirring often, until it begins to wilt, about 3 minutes. Add salt to taste and continue to cook, stirring, until very tender, 3 to 5 more minutes. Remove from heat.
• Mash vegetables with a potato masher or in a standing mixer fitted with the paddle, or put through a food mill. Combine milk and butter and heat until butter melts. Gradually add to purée, stirring or beating on low speed. Stir in leeks and mix until well blended. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Put through the fine or medium blade of a food mill, or press through a medium-mess strainer. Garnish if desired with dill or chervil. Serve hot.