Cheddar and Herb Boxty

Follow Ever Ready this week for some Irish themed recipes. 

Boxty are homemade potato pancakes cooked on a griddle. Originated from the Gaelic word “bactasi” referring to traditional cooking of potatoes over an open fire. It is a very popular dish in the North/West of Ireland.However its popularity has now spread far beyond with Irish families to UK, USA and Australia
Its origin dates back to before the famine times when it was so popular that it inspired folk rhymes:
“Boxty on the griddle, Boxty on the Pan, if you can’t make Boxty, you’ll never get a man”

Boxty are crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside. It's sure to be a family favorite. Since we all can't get to Ireland to order an authentic boxty dish here's a recipe from Food Network you can make right in your own kitchen. Serve a boxty side with corned beef brisket and cabbage or another savory meat dish. A boxty dish is often served for a brunch meal. 
Cheddar and Herb Boxty
Ingredients:

• 2-3 TB. butter
• 1-1/4 cups sweet onion, diced
• 2 TB. garlic cloves, minced
• 7 medium sized red potatoes, peeled and quartered
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1 large egg yolk
• 1/4 cup flour, plus more for dusting
• 1/2 cup white cheddar cheese
• 2 tsp. parsley flakes or 2 TB. fresh parsley, chopped
• salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

• Peel potatoes and quarter. Place in large saucepan and cover with water by an inch. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer until tender about 15 minutes. 
• While potatoes are cooking melt one tablespoon of butter in a skillet. Add in onions and saute 5 minutes. Add in garlic and saute 2 minutes more. Set aside. 
• Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper. 
• Drain potatoes and add back to saucepan. Add in milk and mash potatoes until smooth. A hand mixer works well. 
• Add to potatoes sauteed onion and garlic, egg yolk, 1/4 cup flour, cheese, parsley flakes, salt and pepper. Use mixer to combine all ingredients until smooth. 
• Flour hands and form potato mixture into 12 patties. 
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 
• Using one of the parchment lined baking sheets place each potato pancake (boxty) on it. Place baking sheet in freezer for 5 minutes to firm up pancakes.

• Grease griddle with Pam or rest of butter. Working in two batches cook pancakes 4-5 minutes a side or until golden brown on a side. Gently flip pancakes  and brown on other side. You may need to grease griddle for second batch.
• Transfer each cooked pancake (boxty) to other cookie sheet.Place in oven to keep warm.