Colcannon

This is my ultimate comfort food! Colcannon is a traditional Irish potato dish which normally contains potato and spring onions. This is my decadent and calorific version, perfect for a cold day, or if you are feeling under the weather. This serves about 6 as a side dish, but I have served larger portions with veg on the side too.

• Ready In: 50 mins
• Serves: 6

Ingredients

• 8  large potatoes, peeled
• 1  medium onion, chopped
• 2  garlic cloves, minced
• 6  slices bacon, chopped in strips
• 200  g green cabbage, shredded
• 100  ml milk, heated
•  butter
•  cheddar cheese

Directions

1. Fry the garlic, onion and bacon together until the onion is cooked, but not browned. Set to one side.
2. Boil the cabbage in boiling salted water until tender. Drain and set to one side.
3. Boil the potatoes in salted water until tender. Drain and mash to remove all lumps. Add butter to taste. Add the hot milk- the milk being hot makes the mash lovely and fluffy.
4. Combine the mash, cabbage and onion/bacon mix in a large pot. Check for seasoning- it may not need much salt due to the bacon.
5. Place the entire mixture into an oiled oven dish and top with some grated cheese.
6. Pop in an oven which has been pre-heated to 180°C.
7. Everything is cooked and hot, so just leave in the oven until the cheese is melted to your taste- for me about 10 minutes.
8. Serve as a side, or eat the whole thing yourself!