Colcannon cakes with crisp pancetta and Stilton
(from Elyce123’s recipe box)
Source: delicious. January 2006
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 40 minutes
Serves 4 people
Categories: January
Ingredients
- 1kg floury potatoes, such as Maris Piper or King Edward
- 50g butter
- 1 small onion, very finely chopped
- few fresh thyme leaves, plus extra to garnish
- 225g savoy cabbage, leaves torn
- splash of double cream
- 150g thinly sliced pancetta
- vegetable oil, for shallow frying
- plain flour, for dusting
- 125g Stilton, cut into 4 slices
Directions
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Cut the potatoes into even pieces and cook in a pan of boiling water for 15-20 minutes, until tender. Drain well, return to the pan and put back over the heat for 30 seconds, shaking occasionally, to drive off the excess moisture. Set aside.
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Meanwhile, melt half the butter in a pan and fry the onion and thyme gently for 6-8 minutes. Add the cabbage and a good splash of water, cover, and cook for 10 minutes, until wilted and softened. Drain and stir the cabbage into the potatoes, with the remaining butter and cream.
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Mash well, divide into 4 and shape into large potato cakes. Put on a baking tray and chill for 30 minutes.
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Heat a frying pan and fry the pancetta briefly on each side until crisp. Set aside.
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Heat a little oil in the pan, dust the cakes with a little flour and fry for 4-5 minutes each side, until just turning golden and crisp. Top each cake with a slice of Stilton. Transfer to a plate and top with pancetta and a few extra sprigs of fresh thyme.