To celebrate all things Irish this St Patrick’s Day, why not try a hearty meal that is most associated with the country of your birth? And it really does not more Irish than a good feed of bacon and cabbage!
Irish food really is all about high quality ingredients and great flavour. Based on traditional Irish ingredients, this recipe has a modern twist that promises to liven up any St Patrick’s Day celebration.
Bacon with creamy cabbage and champ
Ingredients (Serves 8 with leftovers )
1 x 1½kg loin of bacon
1 bay leaf
1 teaspoon of peppercorns
A dash of vinegar
1 teaspoon of mustard
1 onion, peeled and chopped
2 tablespoon of butter
1 savoy or sweetheart cabbage, thinly sliced
1 dessert apple, peeled, cored and diced
100ml of cream
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
For balsamic glaze
2 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons of honey
2 tablespoons of wholegrain mustard
2 tablespoons of fresh rosemary or sage leaves, chopped
For the champ
4 scallions, finely chopped
8 tablespoons of milk
2 tablespoons of butter
10 to 12 freshly cooked floury potatoes, cut into even-sized chunks
To cook
Place the bacon in a large saucepan along with the bay leaf, peppercorns, vinegar, mustard and onion and cover with cold water. Put a lid on the saucepan and bring to the boil. Then reduce the heat and gently simmer for about an hour. Allow 20 minutes per ½ kg.
While the bacon is cooking, make the glaze. In a small bowl, mix together the balsamic vinegar, honey, wholegrain mustard and rosemary or sage.
When the bacon is cooked preheat the oven to Gas Mark 4, 180°C (350°F ). Remove the bacon from the water and place in a baking dish lined with foil. Allow to cool a little. Then remove the rind and discard. Brush the bacon liberally with the glaze. Keep aside a tablespoon of the glaze to flavour the cabbage. Place in the oven and bake for 20 minutes.
To cook the cabbage, melt the butter in a large saucepan. Add the cabbage and apple and cook for about ten minutes stirring occasionally. Then stir the cream and reserved glaze through the cabbage. Simmer uncovered until the cream has thickened. This will take 5 to 6 minutes. Taste and season.
To make champ, melt the butter in a small saucepan and gently sauté the scallions until softened. Pour in the milk and butter and bring to a simmer. Mash the potatoes and then using a wooden spoon, beat in the milk mixture until you have achieved smooth, creamy mash. Taste and season.
Serving suggestions
Slice the bacon and serve with the creamy cabbage and champ.
