Irish Potato Cakes (Boxty)
Boxty, a traditional Irish potato pancake, is a versatile dish with roots in the rural Irish countryside. It's made from a combination of grated raw potatoes and mashed cooked potatoes, flour, and often buttermilk or milk, resulting in a unique texture that's crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. Boxty can be served as a side dish, a snack, or as part of a larger breakfast.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1 lb Russet potatoes(about 450g, peeled and finely grated)
- 1 cup Mashed potatoes(about 200g, cold)
- 0.75 cup All-purpose flour(about 95g, plus more for dusting)
- 0.25 cup Milk or buttermilk(about 60ml)
- 1 tsp Baking soda
- 0.5 tsp Salt
- 0.25 tsp Black pepper(freshly ground)
- 2 tbsp Unsalted butter(for frying)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Place the grated raw potatoes in a clean kitchen towel or cheesecloth and squeeze out as much liquid as possible. Discard the liquid.
💡 Tip: This step is crucial for achieving a crispy exterior. - 2
In a large bowl, combine the squeezed grated potatoes, cold mashed potatoes, flour, milk (or buttermilk), baking soda, salt, and pepper.
💡 Tip: Ensure the mashed potatoes are cold to help the mixture hold together. - 3
Mix until a cohesive dough forms. It should be thick but still slightly wet.
- 4
Heat the butter in a large non-stick skillet or griddle over medium-high heat.
- 5
Drop spoonfuls of the dough into the hot skillet, flattening them slightly with the back of the spoon to form thick pancakes (about 3-4 inches in diameter). Do not overcrowd the pan.
💡 Tip: Work in batches if necessary. - 6
Cook for 4-5 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through.
- 7
Remove from skillet and drain on paper towels. Serve hot.
💡 Tip: Boxty is best served immediately.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For a crispier boxty, ensure you squeeze out as much liquid as possible from the grated potatoes.
- ✓Don't overmix the dough, as this can make the boxty tough.
- ✓If you don't have leftover mashed potatoes, you can boil and mash fresh potatoes for this recipe.
🔄 Variations
- Add finely chopped chives or scallions to the dough for extra flavor.
- Some recipes include a small amount of finely chopped onion.
- For a different texture, some variations use a mix of grated raw potato and boiled potato.