Irish Potato Bread

At a Glance

  • Potato Type: Russet
  • Prep Method: Baked
  • Special Requests: Kid Friendly
  • Yield: 16
  • Ready Time:

Recipe By:

(Recipe created by Bruce Weinstein and Mark Scarbrough, authors of The Ultimate Potato Book, for the United States Potato Board)

“Boxty” is practically a national dish in Ireland. It can be served as a potato pancake, a dumpling or, as here, in a crunchy soda bread. And for a little extra fun this March 17th, serve this Irish Potato Bread along with corned beef and cabbage and a frothy green beer.

Ingredients

  • Two 3/4-pound russet potatoes
  • 1 large egg plus 1 large egg white
  • 1/3 cup canola oil, plus additional for greasing the baking sheet
  • 3/4 cup fat-free milk
  • 2 tablespoons minced chives (or the green part of a scallion)
  • 1/2 teaspoon caraway seeds
  • 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, plus additional for dusting and kneading
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt

Preparation

Bring 1 inch of water to a boil over high heat in a vegetable steamer or a large saucepan fitted with a portable vegetable steamer. Peel one potato and cut into eighths; steam the pieces until tender when pierced with a fork, about 15 minutes. Rice or mash pieces in a large bowl; set aside to cool for 15 minutes.

Position the rack in the center of the oven; preheat the oven to 375∞F. Lightly oil a large baking sheet with canola oil dabbed on a paper towel.

Peel the other potato and grate it through the large holes of a box grater. Squeeze of any excess moisture; add to the riced or mashed potatoes.

Stir in the egg, egg white, oil, milk, chives, and caraway seeds until fairly smooth. Add 3 1/4 cups flour, baking powder, and salt; stir with a wooden spoon until the mixture forms a soft but sticky dough.

Lightly flour a clean work surface as well as your cleaned and dried hands. Turn the dough out onto the floured surface and knead for 1 minute, adding flour in 1-tablespoon increments to keep the dough from turning too sticky. Too much flour and the dough turns tough; it should remain a little tacky but workable. Shape into an 8-inch circle, flatten slightly keeping the loaf mounded at its center, and place on the prepared baking sheet. Use a sharp knife to slash an X in the top of the dough, cutting into dough about 1/2 inch.

Bake until golden brown, firm to the touch, and somewhat hollow sounding when tapped, about 55 minutes. Cool 1 hour on a wire rack before slicing and serving.

Makes 1 large loaf (16 slices).

Calories: 183 Fat: 5g Cholesterol: 14mg Sodium: 298mg Vitamin C: 6% Carbohydrates: 30g Fiber: 1g Protein: 5g Potassium: 222mg

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