Swapping back to Irish-inspired food again, for St. Patrick’s Day, whoever thought of putting creamy, buttery, bacon-y, cheesy colcannon in baked potatoes should be given a medal. Comfort food at it’s finest. While it might not look like much, it is delicious.
Ingredients
4 large russet potatoes
2 teaspoons olive oil
1 1/4 teaspoons, kosher salt, divided, plus more to taste
4-5 rashers Irish bacon*, cut into 1-inch pieces
5-6 tablespoons unsalted butter (with more butter for serving)
3 lightly packed cups of chopped cabbage, chard or kale
3 green onions / scallions (including the green onion bits), minced (about 1/2 cup)
1 cup milk or cream
1/2 cup shredded cheddar
Directions
Heat oven to 400F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
Prick 4 large russet potatoes all over with a fork. Rub the potatoes with 2 teaspoons olive oil and then season with 1 teaspoon kosher salt. Bake, flipping halfway through, until cooked through and they squish easily when gently squeezed with an oven mitt, 50 to 60 minutes total. Let cool so that able to be touched. Cut in half and scrape out the insides to a bowl, leaving the skins and some potato, so that they aren’t falling apart. Prepare the other filling ingredients.
Using a medium skillet over medium heat, render the bacon. Once crispy, remove and set aside but keep the rendered bacon fat in the pan. Add the chard to wilt, adding a bit of salt and pepper, about 3-5 minutes. Add the green onions, reserving a few to garnish, and sauté for an additional minute.
Using a food mill, mash the potatoes from the baked potatoes with the milk and butter and gently stir. Don’t over stir however, as the potatoes will become gluey. Add in the greens and bacon bits, reserving a few of the bacon bits to garnish. Refill the jacket potatoes with the filling mixture. They will be overflowing. Sprinkle on cheddar, another pat of butter, reserved green onions and bacon. Serve immediately.
*If you can’t find Irish bacon, you can use breakfast/streaky bacon, but it’s nice to have the traditional, if you can find it.
