This is probably the simplest dish I have ever made! It is partly inspired by the Danish dish aebleskiver which I made yesterday! This is a savoury version!
The very poor of Ireland relied upon one staple food in the 19th century and that was the humble potato or pratá as it was called. Whilst potatoes are very versatile you have to be extra imaginative if you eat them every day and so it’s no surprise that in the poorer counties of Ulster like Cavan and Fermanagh, bacstaí was born!
Bacstaí or boxty in English was traditionally cooked on a hot griddle over the turf fire but it could also be boiled or baked depending upon one’s taste and circumstances. Here I make Boxty balls - the simplest and tastiest of dishes!
Ingredients ( to make 20 boxty balls):
12 medium size potatoes
100ml of milk
Knob of butter
Salt & pepper to taste.
First peel all the potatoes. Set 6 aside in cold water.
Cut up six potatoes and make mash. Set aside and allow to cool.
For the remaining potatoes remove from water and dry. Grate each raw potato into a clean cloth. When completed twist the grated potato removing all the water out of it. Leave aside for 20 minutes.
In a large bowl, combine the cooked mashed potato with the raw grated potato. Add a little salt and pepper to taste. When mixed, take a tablespoon of the mixture and using your hands make each into a small ball shape. Heat a hot pan and place each ball on the pan to fry. Use a teaspoon to shape and turn each ball cooking slowly. When cooked, serve immediately or keep warm until ready to serve.
Sprinkle with parsley or chives as desired.
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