Irish Colcannon with Bacon

My absolute favorite meal to celebrate St. Patrick's Day is this Irish Colcannon with Bacon served with Irish Whiskey Steak. Rich and hearty and what a true Irishman might serve for this annual event celebrating all things Irish.

I know my Dad's side of the family is from Germany and my mother's maiden name of Vaden is English...but I've been told my maternal grandfather who died when I was young was part Irish, so I own it. Plus I could imagine enjoying this Irish Colcannon with Bacon at their table; they ate hearty meals.

I can't deny that some of what I love about the thought of being Irish is just how much I love Irish food. I'm not sure the Irish would think my love of the Reuben sandwich qualifies for it's a totally American invention out of Nebraska but I do love a great corned beef sandwich with sauerkraut (cabbage) so it's close!

I loved the delicious boxty at Fado's Irish Pub when they had a location in Denver, had to make this Irish Soda Bread with Tart Cherries that is slightly sweet, and crave this truly Irish dish of Colcannon which combines mashed potatoes with cabbage and crispy bacon.

When first considering this dish; I did question the combination. Fluffy mashed potatoes combined with sauteed cabbage? But I forged ahead and am so glad I did. Plus I added one component that is considered optional (no it is not!) and that's the crispy bacon. Irish Colcannon with Bacon - a side dish that we now love for more than one March celebration!

This traditional Irish and Scottish food (called Rumdlethumps in Scotland...fun huh?) combines mashed potatoes with cabbage or kale; I prefer using cabbage and decided it had to have bacon. But no matter the choice of greens, it's a great mashup, literally, of creamy potatoes combined with a mirapoix of onions, carrots and celery, slightly crisp cabbage or kale, and crispy bacon, for a totally lovely and savory side dish.

I remember having to convince one guest that was here for dinner to give it a try...and they commenced to devouring more than their fair share!

I don't know why I don't make this more often, maybe because I could sit and eat the entire bowlful for dinner? It has everything...meat, veg, and a starch all rolled into one! It's an Irish meal in a bowl isn't it?

But I don't do that; nope, for our St. Paddy's Day meal I love to serve these with an incredible Irish Whiskey Steak. I actually published the colcannon and steak together almost a dozen years ago; it was time for new photos and to separate the two. It's hard for someone looking for Colcannon to know they must search for my Irish Whiskey Steak...so this is the first post of that combo.

I may have jumped the gun in making this so I could share it with blog readers but I will be doing it again for St. Patrick's Day. It is a definite 'Oh My Yum' moment. This was a fantastic meal; the Colcannon, the Irish Whiskey Steak that's tender and tasty (I'll be publishing that recipe in a couple of days!), all served with the only beer I love; a Guinness on the side!

Dessert? I do have a couple of cocktails I make that could serve for dessert (they're listed below) but no matter; I always make this 'Irish Coffee' Dessert Cake for a St. Patrick's Day meal. Not to be confused with a breakfast 'coffee cake' which might not have a drop of coffee, this delicious cake does have coffee in it along with a touch of Irish Whiskey and is meant to be dessert reminiscent of an Irish Coffee. Although don't tell; I've had it for breakfast too! 🙂

By the way, this makes a LOT! I was having a crowd but more than that I don't make a lot of potato dishes so wanted to use all of a 5 pound bag plus a whole cabbage. No worries...it went fast. For breakfast I made potato patties and fried them to serve with eggs and as I typically do; I sent some leftovers home with friends. Still, cut the recipe in half if that works better for you. Here's to all of my Irish (and non-Irish) family and friends...now try something new!