Potato and Cauliflower Soup

 

For years we lived in Dublin city centre and loved every minute of it. Just minutes away from the O’Connell Street with the stores, cinemas, museums and other great attractions just a reach of the hand.  

Gnocchi

Gnocchi, pronounced as nee-okkee, are soft dumplings and can be made from semolina, wheat flour or potato. Gnocchi are usually eaten as appetizer and can be garnished with tomato sauce, pesto or just butter. Enjoy!

Prep time : 60 min

Cooking time : 20-30 min

(Serves 4)

Ingredients:

800 gr – 1 kg potato, peeled and quartered

350 gram all-purpose flour + extra for dusting

40 gr parmesan, grated

1 egg, lightly beaten

Salt, pepper to taste

Method:

Steam potatoes for about 15-20 minutes or until tender. Transfer to a bowl and mash until smooth; season with salt and pepper.

Add egg to mashed potatoes and mix until well combined then stir in cheese.

Gradually add flour and mix until a dough forms. Then turn onto floured surface and knead until smooth. Divide dough into 4 equal pieces; roll each part into 30 cm long log and about 2 cm in diameter. With a lightly floured knife cut each log into 2 cm pieces.

Roll each piece of dough into a ball then using floured fork press lightly on the piece of dough; place on the lined baking tray.

Over medium heat bring up salted water to a boil. Add one-quarter of gnocchi to a saucepan and cook for 3 minutes or until they rise to the surface. Repeat with remaining with the remaining gnocchi.

New Potato and Smoked Mackerel Salad

Make this healthy salad in less than 30 minutes!

(Serves 2)

Ingredients:

300 gram new potatoes

200-250 gram of smoked mackerel fillet, flaked

90 gram mixture of baby spinach, watercress and red chard

For dressing:

3-5 tablespoons of olive oil

1 tablespoon of lemon juice

Salt, pepper to taste

2 teaspoons of chopped spring onion

Method:

In a large pan bring up water to a boil, season with salt and cook potatoes for approximately 20 minutes or until tender. When cooked drain the potatoes, halve and set aside to cool.

For the dressing, mix olive oil and lemon juice; season with pepper.

In a large salad bowl mix potato, mackerel and mixture of greens; drizzle with salad dressing and sprinkle with spring onions.

Sheppard's Pie

Sheppard’s Pie is traditional English dish baked in an oven and a main ingredient is ground mutton or lamb. Vegetables are usually added such as carrots, peas or corn and topped with mashed potatoes.

Sheppard’s Pie also is also known as Cottage Pie just instead of lamb ground beef is used.

Here is my version of Sheppard’s Pie.

(Serves 4)

Ingredients:

250 gram minced lamb

250 gram frozen vegetables, thawed and chopped (I used carrots, cauliflower, zucchini, peas and celery)

1 medium onion, chopped

2 cloves of garlic, minced

1 can of chopped tomatoes

600 gram potatoes cut in chunks

2-3 tablespoon milk

2 teaspoon butter

Salt, pepper

1 teaspoon paprika

2 tablespoons fresh herbs

2-3 tablespoons of oil

30 gram cheese

Method:

Preheat oven to 200 degrees C.

In a frying pan heat up oil over medium heat; brown minced lamb.

Add onion, garlic and thawed vegetables; season with salt, pepper and paprika. Sauté for 10 minutes, then add canned tomatoes and continue to sauté for another 10 minutes.

In a saucepan boil potatoes for 20 minutes or until tender. When ready add butter, milk and mash the potatoes. Stir in fresh herbs.

Transfer lamb mix to a baking dish; top with potatoes.

Bake for 30 minutes then sprinkle with cheese and bake for further 10 minutes or until cheese is melted.