Colcannon

HALLOWEEN

Today Halloween is all about the sweets! 

But afterwards some warm hearty food is what's needed

Colcannon is full of flavour, it's warming and filling... perfect for a cold autumn night! 

COLCANNON

An old Irish Halloween Dish of potatoes with cabbage or kale.

It is tradition to serve colcannon with prizes of small coins concealed in it.

Ingredients:

1 lb Cabbage finely chopped or Kale

2 lb Potatoes peeled and cut

1 Cup Milk

2 leeks chopped

Salt & Pepper

Some grated Nutmeg

Butter

Preparation:

Cook cabbage (or substitute with Kale) in salted water until tender and drain.

Cook potatoes in water, drain and mash.

Cook the chopped leeks in milk until tender.

Add the mashed potatoes to the leek & milk.

Season with some salt and pepper.

Grate in some nutmeg.

Add the cabbage (or kale) along with some butter.

Mix to combine.

Serve hot in a big bowl with a serving spoon

with an extra knob of butter on top.

Cullens Quality Butchers

Main Street, Wicklow Town. Tel: 0404-69719

Casseroles

When it comes to comfort food, it's hard to beat a casserole.  

This simple cooking method takes everyday cuts of meat and transforms them into hearty, delicious meals full of flavour. And whats more these slow cooked dishes are easy to make!

Best cuts to choose from:

Beef: 

Chuck Steak (Rib Steak), Round Steak,
Topside, Silverside.

Lamb: 

Shanks, Diced Lamb, boneless Shoulder,
neck of Lamb.

Chicken:

whole Chicken cut into portions usually 8 pieces or any 'on the bone' cut.

Pork: 

Diced Pork Shoulder.

Handy hints:
*Cut ingredients into similar size pieces so they cook evenly.
*Use an ovenproof casserole dish - so you can transfer from the hob to the oven only using one dish.
*A tight fitting lid ensures the dish doesn't lose moisture during the cooking process.
*Choose cuts that are tougher but when slowly cooked will become tender, but won't disintegrate.
*Coat the meat in flour and brown first.- this seals in the juices.
*Always work in batches.
* Making a casserole in advance intenisifies the flavour.

Making a casserole:

Step 1: Place flour on a plate & season.
Step 2: Add the meat and toss to coat.
Shake off excess.
Step 3: Heat the oil in the casserole dish.
Step 4: Add the meat and brown in batches.
Step 5: Transfer the meat to a plate.
Step 6: Add the veg to the casserole dish....such as onion, carrot, celery cubes, cook until slightly softened.
Step 7: Return the meat to the dish, add the liquid stock, wine, tin tomatoes, herbs & spices.
Step 8: Cover tightly with lid. Cook according to recipe. 

Remember Simmer slowly for 1 and 1/2  -  2 hours

Cullens Quality Butchers
Main Street
Wicklow Town
www.cullensbutchers.com
0404 69719 

Traditional Bacon & Cabbage

Traditional Bacon & Cabbage

Preparation Time: 10 minutes

Cooking Time: 60 minutes

Serves 4-6

                                                                                            

Ingredients:         1½ Kg (3lbs) Cullens Quality Butchers’ loin of Bacon.

1 carrot.

2 celery sticks.

2 leeks.

1 teaspoon peppercorns.

Topping:

1 tablespoon mustard.

1 tablespoon breadcrumbs.

½ tablespoon brown sugar.

Knob of butter.

Mustard Sauce:

50g (2oz) butter.

25g (1oz) flour.

1 tablespoon mustard.

250ml (1/2pt) – mixture of the cooking liquid

and cream. (125ml of each).

1kg ( 2lbs) of cabbage, finely sliced.

To Cook: Place the joint in a large saucepan. Add chopped vegetables and peppercorns. Cover with cold water. Bring to the boil, then simmer gently for approx. 20 minutes per ½ kg (1 lb). Set oven to Gas Mark 6, 200ºC (400ºF). Remove the joint from the saucepan. Reserve liquid. Remove the rind and score the fat. Place the joint on a roasting dish. Spread with mustard and breadcrumbs, sugar and a knob of butter. Place in the oven for 15-20 minutes. 

To Make the Sauce: Melt the butter, add the flour and mustard. Cook for a minute or two. Whisk in the cooking liquid and cream. Bring to the boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 3-4 minutes. Taste for seasoning. The sauce should have the consistency of thin cream. Keep warm. 

To Cook the Cabbage: In another saucepan cook the cabbage lightly with some of the cooking liquid. Drain well and toss in butter. Season to taste. Slice the bacon and serve on the bed of cabbage, a little of the mustard sauce and of course, some floury potatoes.

For more information, don't forget to check out www.cullensbutchers.com

Cullens Quality Butchers
Main Street
Wicklow Town
www.cullensbutchers.com
0404 69719