Boxty (Mashed Potato Pancakes) with Smoked Salmon
1 large or 2 small Yukon gold potatoes
2 tablespoons salted butter
1 cup milk
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
½ teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
1/3 cup flour
2 eggs
8 oz smoked salmon
½ cup crème fraîche or sour creme
Peel and chop potatoes into 2-inch cubes. Cover with salted, cold water in medium saucepan, bring to a boil, and cook until fork tender. Drain.
Mash potatoes with butter, until butter is melter and no lumps remain in the potatoes. Add the remainder of the ingredients, other than the smoked salmon and crème fraîche.
Lightly oil a nonstick pan. Place on low heat (boxty are not as forgiving as standard pancakes when it comes to medium heat). Place batter in small rounds. Cook until bubbles start to form and pancakes can be flipped. Flip and cook other side.
Top with crème fraîche and salmon. Alternately, boxty can be topped with cooked bacon and/or eggs.
Irish Pub Salad with Tarragon Creme Dressing
3 eggs
1/3 cup mayonnaise
¼ cup olive oil
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1/4 teaspoon salt
pinch black pepper
pinch sugar
¼ cup loosely chopped fresh tarragon
1 head Boston lettuce
4 oz Dubliner or other Irish Cheddar cheese
fresh veggies of your choice (cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, carrots)
pickled veggies of your choice (beets. string beans, asparagus)
Boil small saucepan of water. Add eggs and cook for 8 minutes for slightly jammy centers. Plunge in cold water. Peel and halve.
Place mayo, olive oil, vinegar, salt, pepper, and sugar in a small blender of food processor. Blend until creamy. Add tarragon and pulse, until just chopped and incorporated.
Cut and arrange all remaining ingredients, other than eggs, on a large platter or bowl. Pour dressing over. Toss and top with egg halves.
FUN FACTS:
The longest place name in English is located in Ireland… the village of Muckanaghederdauhaulia
There are no snakes in Ireland, due to the climate.
Green wasn’t always associated with St. Patrick. In fact, historians say that St. Patrick’s color was light blue.