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Bella Cullen’s Colcannon

Colcannon
Image Credit:
Nickola_Che/Shutterstock
Written By: The Old Farmer’s Almanac Editors The Almanac Editors and Staff
Yield
Serves 4
Category
Potatoes
Course
Side Dishes
Occasions
St. Patricks Day
Sources
The Yankee Cookbook

Irish comfort food at its best, Colcannon is a dish that traditionally pairs mashed potatoes with cabbage. Here, we substitute kale for cabbage for a modern twist. (But feel free to stick with cabbage, if you prefer.)

This recipe comes from the mother of Noel Cullen, the famous Irish chef. It’s a great companion dish for corned beef and Irish soda bread. 

See more in our collection of the Best St. Patrick’s Day and Irish Recipes!

Ingredients
8 medium all-purpose potatoes
1 head curly kale, chopped fine
1-1/4 cups milk
6 scallions, diced fine
1 tablespoon chopped parsley
1/2 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
8 tablespoons butter, divided

Instructions

  1. Peel potatoes. In a saucepan, cover with cold salted water. Bring to a boil and cook for 20 minutes or until done. Strain off water. Let potatoes dry, then hand mash.
  2. In a 2-quart pot, boil the kale in salted water until tender, about 25 minutes. In a large saucepan, over low heat, heat the milk with scallions, parsley, and thyme. Strain the chopped kale and add to milk. Simmer for 3 minutes.
  3. Add mashed potatoes to kale, stir in 4 tablespoons butter, and mix to a creamy consistency. Season to taste. Place into a serving dish, making a well in the center. Fill generously with remaining butter and serve.

About The Author

The Old Farmer’s Almanac Editors

The Old Farmer’s Almanac Editors

The Almanac Editors and Staff

Under the guiding hand of its first editor, Robert B. Thomas, the premiere issue of The Old Farmer’s Almanac was published in 1792 during George Washington’s first term as president.Today, the Almanac...

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Comments

<span>Irishj</span> Fri, 03/17/2017 - 16:48
"Here, we substitute cabbage with kale for a modern twist." Read it again. It _was_ edited.
<span>Shawn J Mcdonald</span> Wed, 03/16/2016 - 16:22
I don't care who made this, it should be cabbage, not kale... colcannon isn't GREEN.
<span>Elizabeth Vongvisith</span> Fri, 10/07/2011 - 23:18
I use cabbage instead of kale, and also add a couple of sliced leeks instead of thyme. Irish butter is best for this, and Dublin's Irish cheddar for grating and melting on top, under the broiler.
<span>Katherine Koepke</span> Wed, 03/24/2010 - 21:50
My version:sub buttermilk for milk. add salt, pepper, chive and parsley for the seasonings (omit thyme- too strong for this dish).I also like to replace some of the potato with mashed turnip or kohlrabi. Yum!
<span>Katherine Lewis</span> Fri, 03/19/2010 - 10:12
bella cullen???? seriously?
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Tue, 02/19/2013 - 11:43
This is not the Bella Cullen, character from "Twilight" movies! This is the mother of Noel C. Cullen, an Irish cook. His mother made this simple, traditional recipe in Ireland.