As you know, my church started a cooking ministry called “Merry Martha’s & Mister’s”.  Tonight’s gathering is focusing on Regional/Ethnic dishes.  I figure since I’m Irish, I would make an Irish dish.  As The Domestic Mom, I’m thinking I need to share a dish that’s affordable & really filling!  I decided to share the good old dish of Champ!  Which I then decided to turn into Colcannon in hopes to make it somewhat healthy … thinking adding cabbage would help!  You know your veggies are good for you!!  Here’s the recipe I’m submitting to the church’s cookbook ……………

These are mashed potatoes, Irish-style! Champ is the ultimate comfort food! It’s cheap and filling. Instead of gravy, it’s served with a glob of butter in the center … an I mean a huge glob!!!

Ingredients:
* 5 pounds potatoes (Use red potatoes and leave the skins on for added color!)
* 1c milk
* 1c chopped spring onions (green onions)
* 1/2c butter (I use slightly more than this – We love butter!)
* Salt and black pepper

Preparation:
Peel potatoes (or leave skins on) and cook in boiling water.

Simmer milk and spring onions together for five minutes. Strain potatoes and mash thoroughly. Add hot milk, and the spring onions, salt and pepper, and the butter.

Boil until soft but not mushy, drain and return them to the heat to dry somewhat before mashing. (In any case keep hot.) Chop the scallions finely, both green and white parts, and cook for 5 minutes in the milk. Beat this mixture into the mashed potatoes until smooth and fluffy, season to taste and serve a large mound on each plate with a good glob of butter melting into the top. (Make a volcano!) Each spoonful is dipped into the melted butter as it is eaten.  (You should eat this starting on the outside of your volcano.)

Colcannon is made in much the same way as Champ, but add cabbage. Shred and chop cabbage (discard the stump) and cook until tender. Mash into the potato mixture and serve the same way as above.

Have Fun with Tradition!
A silver sixpenny piece wrapped in greaseproof paper would be buried in it. Finding it in your portion was to bring good luck for a year.

Enjoy!

The Domestic Mom