Making Boxty

Hi everyone,

I am so behind on things for the blog for the month of March, that I'm going to try to squeeze two more posts in before midnight tonight!

About a year or so ago, my dad gave me a recipe book called 'A Taste of Ireland in Food and in Pictures' by Theodora Fitzgibbon. In it there are many a different recipe from all over Ireland.

One of those recipes is for 'Boxty'. Traditionally made in the northern counties such as Cavan and Donegal, Boxty is an Irish potato dish traditionally served on St Patrick's Day, All Saint's Day and All Hallows Eve but can be eaten at any time.

So here is the recipe from Theodora's book.

Boxty Bread (Boxty in the Pan):

Ingredients:

1Ib Raw Potatoes

1Ib (4 Cups) Flour

Salt & Pepper

1Ib (2 Cups) Cooked Mash Potatoes

4oz (Quarter Cup) Melted Butter or Bacon Fat

Method:

1. Peel the raw potatoes and grate into a clean cloth.

2. Wring them tightly over a basin, catching the liquid.

3. Put the grated potatoes into another basin and spread with the cooked mashed potatoes.

4. When the starch has sunk to the bottom of the raw potato liquid, pour off the water and scrape the starch on to the potatoes.

5. Mix well and sieve the flour, salt and pepper over it.

6. Finally add the melted butter or fat.

7. Knead, roll out on a floured board and shape into round flat cakes.

8. Make a cross over, so that when cooked they will divide into farls.

9. Cook on a greased baking sheet in a moderate oven (300 Degrees Fahrenheit. Electric; Gas Regulo 3) for about 40 minutes.

10. This quantity will make about 4 cakes. Serve hot, split in two with butter.

Boxty Pancakes:

Ingredients:

1Ib Raw Potatoes

1Ib (4 Cups) Flour

Salt & Pepper

1Ib (2 Cups) Cooked Mashed Potatoes

4oz (Quarter Cup) Melted Butter or Bacon Fat

1 Tsp Bicarbonate of Soda

Milk (Enough to make a batter of dropping consistency)

Method:

1. The pan or griddle is greased lightly and spoonful's at a time are cooked over a moderate heat, on both sides.

2. Served with butter, and sometimes sprinkled with sugar.

Why not have a go and let us know how you got on?

Enjoy,

Lily x