Chef Johns Colcannon Recipes

COLCANNON SOUP

Steps:

• Put the bacon in a pot over medium-high heat and cook, stirring occasionally, until the bacon renders its fat.
• Lower the heat to medium. Add the onion, leek, potato, and cabbage and cook, covered, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 10 minutes. Add the wine and cook for 2 minutes more. Add the stock, bring to a boil, and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Lower the heat and simmer until the potato is tender. Add the cream and simmer for a few minutes until the soup achieves a creamy texture. Remove from the heat and finish by whisking the butter cubes into the soup. (Don't re-boil the soup after adding the butter into it, or it will curdle.)
• Divide the soup among bowls, drizzle with basil oil, and garnish with the fried basil leaves.

CHEF JOHN'S COLCANNON

Steps:

• Boil potatoes in a large pot of salted water until tender, about 10 minutes. Drain and transfer potatoes to a large bowl. Add 2 tablespoons butter and lightly mash the potatoes.
• Boil kale and leeks in a large pot of water until tender, 5 to 7 minutes. Drain and transfer kale and leeks to a blender. Add white parts of the green onions and 2 more tablespoons butter; blend until smooth, scraping down sides as needed, 1 to 3 minutes.
• Stir pureed kale mixture into the bowl of potatoes and continue to mash. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Add cream and stir until desired texture. Top with 2 tablespoons butter and green parts of the green onions.

COLCANNON

Steps:

• Steam the potatoes in their skins for 30 minutes. Peel them using a knife and fork. Chop with a knife before mashing. Mash thoroughly to remove all the lumps. Add 1 stick of butter in pieces. Gradually add hot milk, stirring all the time. Season with a few grinds of black pepper.
• Boil the cabbage in unsalted water until it turns a darker color. Add 2 tablespoons butter to tenderize it. Cover with lid for 2 minutes. Drain thoroughly before returning it to the pan. Chop into small pieces.
• Put the ham in a large saucepan and cover with water. Bring to the boil and simmer for 45 minutes until tender. Drain. Remove any fat and chop into small pieces.
• Add cabbage, scallions, and ham to mashed potatoes, stirring them in gently.
• Serve in individual soup plates. Make an indentation on the top by swirling a wooden spoon. Put 1 tablespoon of butter into each indentation. Sprinkle with parsley.

CHEF JOHN'S KOFTA KEBABS

Steps:

• Cut toasted bread slice into thin strips on a cutting board; cut strips across into a small dice.
• Place onion, parsley, and garlic on top of diced bread on the cutting board; chop until mixture resembles tabbouleh.
• Season beef and lamb with kosher salt, black pepper, allspice, paprika, cardamom, nutmeg, and cayenne. Add onion mixture and water. Mix and mash with your hands until well combined.
• Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate until chilled, at least 1 hour, up to overnight.
• Remove meat from the refrigerator and roll ¼ of the mixture into a ball using wet hands. Pierce in the middle with a bamboo skewer. Shape meat into a uniform log, about 6 inches long and 2 inches wide.
• Meanwhile, preheat a charcoal grill until coals are very hot.
• Place kebabs on the hot grill until browned and cooked through, about 12 minutes, turning every 3 minutes or so. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of a kebab should read at least 145 degrees F (63 degrees C). Serve.

TURNIP COLCANNON

Steps:

• Boil the potatoes for 20 mins, adding carrots for the last 5 mins. Drain, spoon out the carrots, then mash the potatoes with cream and butter. Fry the carrots, turnips and garlic in oil for 10 mins; add the cabbage for the final 2 mins. Mix with the mash in an ovenproof dish and season. Can be made up to 1 day ahead.
• To serve, grill for 5-10 mins or, if made ahead, bake at 200C/180C fan/gas 6 for 20 mins.