Irish Potatoes

"Tir gan teanga, tir gan anam (A country without language is a country without soul)"

 - Padraig Pearse

"In order to find his equal, an Irishman is forced to talk to God"

 - Braveheart

I did have another recipe all set to go, but seem to have deleted the photos.So this one is a little delayed, but still well worth it! I hope you like it.


This isn't the most exciting St. Patrick's Day recipe the food-blogging community has seen. It pales in comparison to the colcannon's, soda breads, and corned beef recipes. However, this recipe to me some distinctly Irish. It's simple, hearty, earthy and filling. It's the kind of meal that prepares you for a day of work in the fields, which is what I imagine as Irish.

The problem is that I've never been to Irelenad, or really know anything about it. One of my Great Grandparents was Irish, but I never got the chance to meet them or go further back in the timeline. But as a history student, I pride myself on thinking that I know more than the average person about Irish culture. That's why when St. Patrick's day rolls around, I get a wee bit annoyed with all the people pretending to be Irish. Why not Mongolian? Jamaican? Russian? It's odd that one tiny country gets so much attention from the rest of the world.

Here's my beef with this years St. Patrick's day.

Colcannon - A mashed potato dish filled with cabbage and leeks. This dish is mainly served at Halloween.

Corned Beef - Actually celebrates more of the American-Irish traditions, instead of distinctly Irish.

Black and Tan - this goes for Brownies, cakes, cocktails...this is probably my biggest annoyance this year. The Black and Tans was a police force created in Ireland to fight the IRA. They are infamous for their attacks on civilians and property destruction. They are despised in Ireland and an embarrassment to the British. By naming your cupcakes and drinks after this group is not really a salute to Ireland at all, and is basic ignorance of Irish history.

That last one really gets my goat. I can feel my blood pressure start to spike a bit about it. Anyways, this recipe contains what I believe to be strong Irish influences. It isn't a traditional meal, just one that I imagine is Irish. Hopefully it doesn't cause anyone anxiety or stress!

PS. For historical accuracy on Irish potatoes... Potatoes were brought to Europe by the Spanish during the Exploration era. They became popular in Ireland due to their ease of growth and abundance. The potatoes were infected by disease causing most of the population in Ireland to starve(1 million) and emigrate (another million). However, potatoes have grown back in popularity and still remain a common staple.


Irish Potatoes

Potatoes - 2, chopped into bite sized pieces
Leek - 1, sliced
Garlic - 2 cloves, minced
Thyme - 1 tbsp
Salt and Pepper - a few healthy pinches
Canola Oil

Preheat the oven to 375F

Once the potatoes are cut, place them in a bag with the remaining ingredients. Add a dollop of canola oil, enough to coat the potatoes. Shake the bag until everything is coated, then place on a baking sheet. Place in the oven for about 20-30 minutes or until the potatoes are golden brown. Remove and serve immediately.