Have you tried Champ?

As I was growing up we ate a lot of traditional Irish dishes, I just had no idea they were Irish, I just knew they were really good.

On St. Patrick’s Day, everyone becomes Irish and not only imbibes in green beer, but they eat corned beef and cabbage, something they probably wouldn’t touch the rest of the year.

Granted, most Irish dishes are primarily potatoes, cabbage and lamb or goat (we skipped the goat at our house) and are generally pretty bland, but there were a few I loved as a kid and still crave on occasion to this day.

Have you heard of Champ?

Champ is simply mashed potatoes with chopped green onions, a little butter, milk and cheese. While its a traditional Irish dish, I’ll bet you’ve had something very similar in a restaurant as its become rather fashionable these days.

Grandma always made sure there were leftovers of Champ, too, so we could have Boxty the next day.

Boxty is pretty much taking the Champ from the day before, molding it into a pancake shape and then frying it. Absolutely delish with a little chicken gravy.

And then there’s bacon and cabbage. Bacon and cabbage with...you guessed it...potatoes.

I actually do bacon and cabbage quite often since its quick and easy. Just fry your bacon, and as the grease starts to collect, add your potatoes and then the cabbage. You cover the skillet and let the steam kind of work things down for a few minutes. The flavors mix beautifully.

OK, now I’m hungry and its not even dinner time yet.

Wear your green, eat your Irish dishes and maybe try some of the others when you’re feeling adventurous.