Irish Boxty

My daughter, Holly, was in town for the wedding of her best friend, Stephanie. While she was here, we celebrated her birthday at Brian Boru’s, an Irish Pub. It was there that I had my first Boxty. A Boxty, for those of you who don’t know, is an Irish potato pancake. It even has its own poem..

Boxty in the griddle,
boxty in the pan,
If you can’t make boxty,
you’ll never get a man.

It was the only vegetarian meal choice I had on the menu, and it was delish!! I’m actually glad it was my only choice. Those that know me, know I can be a little stubborn trying new things in a restaurant setting (where I’m actually paying for the meal). Brian Boru’s version was much denser and pancakey (is that even a word?). Mine was lighter and creamier inside. I hope you enjoy it as much as I!

Pancakes
3 lg potatoes, peeled and cubed
2 cloves of garlic, cracked and skins removed
1/3 c flour, all purpose
3 tsp baking powder
¾ c milk
1 tsp sugar (yes, sugar)
1 egg
½ tsp salt
pepper to taste

Filling
2 tbs olive oil
1 lg onion, thinly sliced
1 bell pepper, I used red
1 – 6 oz bad of baby spinach
1 clove of garlic, minced
salt and pepper to taste

1 c of your favorite marinara
1 c shredded cheese (I used Kerigold Irish aged cheddar)

For the pancakes: Put the potatoes and garlic in a large pot and fill with water to about 2 inches above the potatoes. Add 2 tbs salt and put on high. Boil, cover cracked, until the potatoes are fork tender. Drain the potatoes and garlic, put in a bowl and mash. I used a food mill. Mix the dry ingredients together and sprinkle over the potatoes. Mix the milk and egg together and pour over the potatoes. Mix to combine and set aside.

For the filling: Add olive oil to a pan and heat to medium

heat. Add the onions, peppers, and garlic and saute, stirring often, until vegetables are tender, but not brown. Add the spinach, place a top on the pan and allow the spinach to wilt. Remove the cover and allow the excess moisture, from the spinach, to evaporate. Add salt and pepper to taste

Heat a large non-stick skillet over medium high heat with a tablespoon of olive oil. When the oil is hot, add a quarter of the pancake mixture to the middle. Using the back of a spoon, or a knife, spread to batter out unit its about 1/4 to 1/2 an inch think. Reduce to medium, cover, and let cook for 3 to 5 minutes (until set and browned). Before you flip the pancake, give the pan a shake to loosen the pancake. Flip and continue to cook until browned and heated through.

To assemble: Place you pancake on a plate. Ladle some marinara on one half. Add a quarter of the vegetable filling, sprinkle with cheese and fold the pancake over on top of the filling. You can, of you wish, ladle on more marinara and sprinkle on more cheese.

Makes 4 boxtys (boxties?!)

Jazzing Your Veggies

The newest thing on the market are the "steam in the bag" frozen vegetables. They're great when you need a quick fix! But they lack something ... flavor! Here's how I jazz them up!!


Green Beans - while the vegetables are steaming heat a teaspoon of butter and a table spoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add one "smashed" garlic clove. Saute until the beans are done. Add the green beans and saute until the water is evaporated.

Corn - melt 2 teaspoons of butter in a bowl in the microwave. Add a good dash of dried basil and a pinch of pepper. Mix with a spoon and let this sit and warm with the corn is cooking. Mix in the corn when it finished.

Broccoli - melt 2 teaspoons of butter in the microwave. Add a dash of garlic powder and mix to combine. Set aside while the broccoli cooks. Toss the broccoli and butter together and sprinkle with cheese.

These are just a few ideas, but certainly not the only ones!