Ingredients
- 3 Russet potatoes, divided into two parts
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 1/2 teaspoons salt, divided
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 1/2 to 2 cups buttermilk (adjust based on consistency)
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 2 green onions, chopped, for garnish
- 1/2 cup sour cream, for garnish
Preparation
- Prepare the Potatoes:
- Peel two of the Russet potatoes and cut them into small cubes.
- Take the third potato, do not peel yet, set aside for later use.
- Cook the Cubed Potatoes:
- Place the cubed potatoes in a medium-sized pot and add enough water to just cover them.
- Stir in 1 teaspoon of salt.
- Bring the water to a boil over high heat, then reduce to a simmer and cook until the potatoes are fork-tender, about 10-15 minutes.
- Once cooked, drain the potatoes and mash them until smooth.
- Transfer the mashed potatoes to the refrigerator to cool for 1-2 hours, which helps in handling them later.
- Grate the Raw Potato:
- While the mashed potatoes are cooling, peel and coarsely grate the third potato.
- Place the grated potato in a clean kitchen towel or several layers of paper towels and squeeze out as much moisture as possible. This is crucial to prevent your boxties from being soggy.
- Make the Boxty Batter:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the chilled mashed potatoes with the grated potatoes.
- Add the all-purpose flour, the remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons of salt, and the baking soda.
- Gradually mix in 1 1/2 cups of buttermilk. If the batter appears too dry, add a little more buttermilk until you achieve a thick but moist consistency.
- Cook the Boxty:
- Heat the vegetable oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat.
- Once the oil is hot, spoon large dollops of the potato mixture into the pan. Flatten each dollop with the back of your spoon to form pancakes.
- Fry each pancake for about 4-5 minutes on each side or until golden brown and crisp.
- Remove the boxties from the pan and drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.
- Serve:
- Serve the boxties warm, topped with a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of chopped green onions.
This traditional Irish dish combines smooth and crispy textures with rich and creamy flavors, making it a comforting and satisfying meal, especially during colder months. Enjoy your homemade boxties with a side of stew or eat them as a savory breakfast item!
