Irish Colcannon Mashed Potatoes with Kale (Printable version)
Creamy mashed potatoes combined with tender kale and scallions. A traditional Irish comfort dish that's vegetarian and gluten-free.
# Ingredient list:
→ Vegetables
01 - 2 lbs russet or Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
02 - 7 oz kale, stems removed, leaves chopped
03 - 4 scallions, thinly sliced
→ Dairy
04 - 1/2 cup whole milk
05 - 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus extra for serving
06 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
# Directions:
01 - Place potatoes in a large pot and cover with cold, salted water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 15-20 minutes until tender when pierced with a fork.
02 - While potatoes cook, bring a separate pot of salted water to a boil. Add kale and cook for 3-4 minutes until just tender. Drain well, squeezing out excess moisture, and set aside.
03 - In a small saucepan, heat milk and butter together over low heat until butter melts.
04 - Drain cooked potatoes and return them to the pot. Mash thoroughly until smooth and lump-free.
05 - Stir in warm milk and butter mixture, followed by cooked kale and most of the scallions. Mix well. Season generously with salt and pepper.
06 - Transfer to a serving bowl, top with remaining scallions and a knob of butter, and serve hot.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The contrast between silky potatoes and slightly chewy kale creates a texture that ordinary mashed potatoes can only dream of achieving.
- Its incredibly adaptable as a side dish but substantial enough that sometimes I just eat a bowl of it on its own with extra butter melting on top.
02 -
- Overcooking the kale turns it army-green and bitter, so set a timer and taste-test a leaf at the 3-minute mark.
- The potatoes need more salt than you might initially think, as the kale dilutes the seasoning once mixed in.
03 -
- For a luxurious twist, fold in a few tablespoons of crème fraîche or sour cream just before serving, creating little pockets of tanginess throughout.
- Save potato cooking water to thin the mash if needed instead of adding more milk, it contains potato starch that helps maintain the perfect consistency without diluting flavor.