This casserole would have been the perfect side dish for St. Patrick’s Day. Colcannon is an Irish dish which usually contains potatoes and cabbage or kale. Making it with sweet potatoes and adding a kick of cayenne pepper and bacon elevates it from drab to very interesting indeed. The original recipe called for pancetta, but I think the bacon does just as well. We had already had our corned beef and cabbage with boiled potatoes and carrots when I found this recipe on the FOOD52 website. Since corned beef was still on sale, I bought another one and made it along side this and a scrumptious sauerkraut salad. It was a new take on the St. Paddy’s Day menu.
I am loving my new Staub cookware that I won from FOOD52. The quality and sturdiness are unsurpassed. But then I am also sold on the less expensive Lodge cast iron cookware. My Le Creuset enameled cookware is also put to good use in my kitchen, but the enamel does stain after time no matter how well I clean it. I would be interested in your thoughts on this matter. What about copper?
I hate it when I get in the picture. I loved this shot of my sweet potatoes until I saw my orange glad self in the reflection in the spoon. Oh well. The potatoes are still very photogenic and I highly recommend this dish. Next time I will add even more cayenne pepper. More bacon too. Hope you like it as much as I did. We are packing. One more week until we return to North Carolina.
SWEET POTATO COLCANNON WITH BACON (Adapted from FOOD52)
- 1/3pound kale, rinsed well and stripped of coarse stems
- 1 1/2pounds sweet potato, peeled and cut in 1/2-inch cubes
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 slices of bacon, diced and fried until crisp
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1medium yellow onion, finely chopped
- 1/8teaspoon cayenne powder, plus more as desired
- 1/2cup half-and-half
- Place kale in salted boiling water for 8 minutes, until tender and bright green. Reserving the boiling water, remove with a slotted spoon, drain well and squeeze out excess water, then chop fine.
- Boil the sweet potato in the water used for the kale for 15 minutes, covered, or until tender. Drain and pass through a potato ricer or food mill, into a large, heat-proof pot. (Note: If you have neither a ricer nor mill, push potato through a sieve or otherwise be sure to mash thoroughly until smooth.)
- Add the chopped kale to the sweet potato. Season with salt and pepper to taste, keeping in mind that the inclusion of cayenne and bacon later in the recipe will boost the levels of both salt and spice; be judicious.
- In a medium skillet over moderate heat, cook the bacon until crisp. Remove using a slotted spoon and let drain on a paper towel.
- In the same pan you used to cook the bacon, melt the butter. Add onion and cayenne and sauté over medium heat, until onion is translucent and has lost its crunch. Set aside.
- In a small saucepan, heat half-and-half, then beat it into the sweet potato-kale mixture (I just used a fork, which worked best). Add the bacon. Add the onion and the fat from the pan. Combine all ingredients well, and serve warm.
- This dish may be prepared in advance. In fact, it tastes even better the next day. Also, try pressing the colcannon into a pie plate and chilling overnight: The next day, cut into wedges and fry up in additional butter or oil to accompany a breakfast of scrambled eggs.
I adore this dish, but I’ve never had it like this, what a brilliant variation!
I thought so too Sue. And it lived up to expectations.
What a great idea….replacing potatoes with sweet potatoes! I’d love this dish, Penny. Got a nice kick to it, too!
I agree Barbara. I am always looking for something a little different and this dish delivers.
Great dishes to serve any time Penny. Funny, I wouldn’t have seen you in the last photo until you mentioned it. I thought it was a great spot. Yes, my Le Creuset does stain & it used to bother me, but I’ve just accepted it now, but wish it didn’t.
Enjoy your trip home. It’s burst into spring there and I’m missing our daffodils…
Sam
Looking forward to Spring in NC Sam. You are right about just accepting staining in Le Creuset. Thats why I’m loving the Staub.
Interesting twist on this dish Penny
I think Bev would like this . . . maybe you too. LOL.
I enjoy colcannon and this is a nice change of pace. Have a safe trip back home and enjoy those daffodils. Spring won’t come to New Hampshire, we had 6 inches of snow yesterday.
Karen, I know Spring is coming your way. Just look forward to the Florida weather that you soon will enjoy.
Very creative, Penny. I love taking a tried and true recipe and giving it a new twist. I’ve never thought to pair sweet potatoes with corned beef. It sounds delicious.
Thanks Cathy, It is a surprisingly good combination and looks good too.
I’ve come across this word, Colcannon, in books, but I never really knew what it meant. Now I know and it looks delicious. Thanks for sharing the recipe.
Amalia
xo
Hi Amalia. Glad that I cleared it up for you. The original with potatoes and cabbage is really good too.
I had to smile at your reflection in the serving spoon 🙂 Been there, done that! I love sweet potatoes, but sadly, my husband doesn’t share my enthusiasm. This looks so delicious!
Sorry your hubby doesn’t like sweet potatoes. These would be good with regular potatoes too. Thanks Susan.
It all looks so yummy for this still chilly weather!
Glad you are enjoying your new cookware. There’s so much out there now it’s hard to choose – I’m concerned for my arms (and I guess toes!) with some of the heavier pieces.
Happy Spring dear Penny – hugs Mary
Happy Spring to you Mary. I am looking forward to returning to beautiful NC with all of the blooming bulbs and trees. I know you are enjoying your yard.
I bet sweet potatoes and corned beef are wonderful together, love this version.
Thanks Cheri. I like to shake things up occasionally.
Wow..gorgeous in your Staub!