Tasty Pan Boxty: Where To Find This Irish Treat

Pan boxty is a traditional Irish potato pancake, made from a combination of grated and mashed potatoes, fried until crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. The dish is said to have been a staple food in Ireland since the 1700s and is traditionally served on St. Brigid's Day. The most popular version of the dish is made with grated raw potato, cooked mashed potato, and flour, made into a batter with fresh milk and slow-cooked in a pan until golden brown. The traditional recipe varies from region to region, but they all use grated raw potato.

Pan Boxty in Dublin

Pan boxty, also known as boxty bread, is a traditional Irish potato pancake. It is made with grated raw potato, cooked mashed potato, and flour, and is usually served fried. The dish is particularly associated with the north midlands, north Connacht, and southern Ulster, including the counties of Leitrim, Mayo, Sligo, Fermanagh, Longford, and Cavan.

If you're looking to try this delicious dish in Dublin, one of the best-known places to head to is Gallagher's Boxty House in Temple Bar. This restaurant specialises in boxty, serving it in a variety of ways, including as dumplings, bread, and pancakes with a variety of fillings. The Boxty House also offers a range of beverages brewed and distilled in Ireland.

While Gallagher's Boxty House is a popular tourist destination, reviews of the food are mixed. Some diners have found it mediocre, while others have praised the food as fantastic. If you're looking for a more off-the-beaten-path dining experience, you may want to explore other options.

Another restaurant in Dublin that serves boxty is The Winding Stair, located by the Ha'penny Bridge. This eatery offers a relaxed atmosphere and a wonderful menu of traditional Irish dishes with a modern twist, made with local ingredients. However, keep in mind that reservations are recommended as it tends to be popular.

For a more casual option, you can try finding boxty in pubs, especially at lunchtime. While boxty is not as common a dish in Ireland as some visitors may think, it may be available in pubs alongside other traditional Irish staples.

Finally, if you're looking to buy boxty to cook at home, you can find it in shops and supermarkets, either in dumpling form or as ready-cooked pancakes. Dromod Boxty, a family-owned business, produces and delivers high-quality boxty to stores in Dublin and the surrounding areas.

Gallagher's Boxty House

Gallaghers Boxty House is a restaurant in Temple Bar, Dublin, that has been serving customers a genuine taste of modern Ireland for over 35 years. The restaurant is renowned for its celebration of Irish cuisine and offers a range of beverages brewed and distilled in Ireland. The menu features the three types of Boxty found in the border counties of Leitrim, Cavan, and Fermanagh.

The restaurant was founded in 1988 by Pádraic Óg Gallagher, who perfected the Leitrim Pan Boxty, a light Boxty pancake served with a variety of fillings. Over the years, Gallagher and his chefs have developed a range of Boxty dishes served in various ways to showcase the best of Irish produce.

The Boxty House offers a relaxed and warm atmosphere, providing a natural habitat for conversation to flow easily and share stories. The restaurant is open from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM.

Boxty with bacon and eggs

Ingredients

• 2 large baking potatoes
• 1 bunch of spring onions, finely sliced
• 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
• 3 tbsp butter (or more if you need)
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil (or more if you need)
• 12 rashers of back bacon
• 6 eggs, cooked to your preference

Optional Ingredients

• 6 small bunches of cherry tomatoes
• A pinch of salt and pepper to taste

Method

• First, put your oven on its lowest setting, ready to keep your food warm.
• Peel the potatoes, grate two of them, and set them aside. Cut the other two into large chunks and boil them for 10-15 minutes or until tender.
• Squeeze as much liquid from the grated potatoes as you can using a clean tea towel.
• Mash the boiled potatoes, then mix them with the grated potato, spring onions, and flour.
• Whisk an egg white in a large bowl until it holds soft peaks. Fold in the buttermilk, then add the bicarbonate of soda. Fold this mixture into the potato mix.
• Heat a large non-stick frying pan over medium heat, then add 1 tbsp of butter and some oil. Drop 3-4 spoonfuls of the potato mixture into the pan, then gently cook for 3-5 minutes on each side until golden and crusty.
• Keep the cooked boxty warm in the oven while you cook the next batch, adding more butter and oil to the pan as needed. You will get 16 crumpet-sized boxty from the mix.
• Fry the bacon until crispy and grill the tomatoes as a side dish, if desired.
• Stack up the boxty, bacon, and eggs, and serve with the grilled tomatoes on the side.

Tips

• You can make the boxty a day ahead and reheat them in a low oven for 20 minutes.
• For an extra special touch, serve with a Bloody Mary.

Boxty with a salad

Boxty is a traditional Irish potato pancake, typically made with a combination of grated raw potato and cooked mashed potatoes. The dish is often served as part of a hearty breakfast or brunch, paired with eggs and bacon. However, it can also be enjoyed as a lunch option, accompanied by a refreshing salad. In this article, we will explore the steps to create delicious boxty and suggest some salad ideas to complement this tasty dish.

Making the Boxty

To make boxty, start by gathering your ingredients: potatoes (both grated raw and mashed), flour, a binding agent (such as milk, buttermilk, or egg), and seasonings like salt and pepper. The binding agent and seasonings may vary based on personal preference. You will also need oil or butter for frying.

Combine the grated raw potato, mashed potato, flour, and seasonings in a large mixing bowl. Gradually add your chosen binding agent and mix until you achieve a thick batter.

Heat a non-stick frying pan over medium-high heat and add a small amount of butter or oil. Once the pan is hot, scoop the potato mixture into the pan, forming patties of your desired size. Fry the boxty until both sides are golden brown, being careful not to cook them too quickly to ensure the raw potato is thoroughly cooked.

Transfer the cooked boxty to a plate lined with kitchen paper to absorb any excess oil. Repeat this process until all your batter is used up.

Salad Ideas

Now, let's talk about some salad options to serve with your freshly made boxty:

• Green Salad: A simple green salad can complement the heartiness of the boxty. Include a variety of leafy greens like lettuce, spinach, or arugula, and add in some chopped vegetables like cucumbers, tomatoes, and avocados. You can also top it off with a tangy vinaigrette dressing.
• Potato Salad: For a more filling option, a potato salad can be a delicious choice. Boil or steam some additional potatoes and chop them into bite-sized pieces. Add in some chopped red onions, celery, and fresh herbs like parsley or chives. For the dressing, mix mayonnaise, mustard, and a splash of vinegar, adjusting the quantities to your taste.
• Bean Salad: A bean salad offers a good source of protein and goes well with the boxty. Use canned or cooked beans like kidney beans, chickpeas, or black beans. Chop some red onions, bell peppers, and fresh coriander, and mix them with the beans. For a zesty dressing, combine olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and a pinch of cumin.
• Fruit Salad: If you're looking for a sweeter option, a fruit salad can be a refreshing choice. Chop up some of your favourite fruits, such as apples, berries, oranges, and kiwis. You can also add a sprinkle of nuts or seeds for some crunch. For a creamy dressing, mix plain yoghurt with a hint of honey and a squeeze of lemon juice.

Remember, these are just a few suggestions, and you can customise your salad based on your preferences and what's available in your kitchen!

Boxty as a tortilla wrap

Boxty is a traditional Irish potato pancake made with a combination of mashed and grated raw potatoes. It is typically fried in pancake form, but can also be baked in a loaf pan or made into a dumpling. The contemporary way of serving boxty is to use it as one would a tortilla or flatbread. This means filling the boxty and serving it like a "wrap" type entree.

To make boxty, you will need the following ingredients:

• Potatoes (grated and mashed)
• Flour
• Baking soda
• Buttermilk

The buttermilk contributes flavour and acts as an acid to activate the baking soda, giving the potato pancakes a little lift. Other binding agents such as milk, cream, eggs, or butter can also be used, resulting in different textures.

• Boil, drain, and mash the potatoes. Chill until cold or overnight.
• Combine flour, baking soda, and salt in a small bowl. Set aside.
• Grate the potatoes and place them on a clean kitchen towel. Wring out as much liquid as possible.
• Place the cold mashed potatoes, grated potatoes, and flour mixture in a large mixing bowl.
• Add buttermilk and combine the mixture. If the mixture is too thick or dry, add a little extra buttermilk.
• Heat butter, bacon grease, lard, or oil in a heavy pan over medium-high heat.
• Scoop the potato mixture into the pan to form individual patties, pressing down to flatten them.
• Fry until the bottom is nicely browned, then flip and cook the other side until golden brown. Adjust the heat as needed to ensure the interior is cooked.
• Serve immediately while hot.

When serving boxty as a tortilla wrap, you can fill it with various savoury ingredients such as:

• Creamy smoked salmon
• Stewed beef
• Eggs and bacon
• Salad
• Sour cream and scallions

Frequently asked questions