I’ve had the most delicious fun with
The Complete Irish Pub Cookbook!
Full of best-loved Irish favorites and contemporary
recipes, with a little scenery sprinkled in.
My love of the Irish is rivaled by my love of potatoes.
Champ was included among the traditional favorites,
along with a little tabletop inspiration with the custom of leaving a bowl
under a bush for the fairies.
Champ is creamy mashed potatoes served with a pool of melted butter.
The key to the flavor of these potatoes, besides the butter :)
is the green onion infusion in the milk in these potatoes!
Ingredients
2 lbs. starchy potatoes, peeled and cut into even chunks (I used Yukon gold)
20 scallions, some green tops included, chopped
1 1/2 cups milk
1/2 teaspoons peppercorns
1/4 cup snipped chives
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) melted and hot butter
A Pot (or bowl) of Gold for St. Patrick’s Day with
Yukon Gold potatoes and a well of golden butter!
Cook potatoes in salted water (I add a chicken bouillon cube to the pot for flavor and color).
Bring to boil and simmer 20 minutes or until done.
Drain well and put potatoes back into the pot to get rid of any excess moisture.
While potatoes are cooking, put chopped scallions in a pan with milk and peppercorns.
Simmer 5 minutes, then drain, reserving the milk and scallions separately.
Mash potatoes until smooth, stirring in enough of the milk to produce a creamy consistency.
Stir in scallions and chives. Season to taste with salt & pepper.
Transfer to a warm serving bowl and make a well in the center to pour in the hot melted utter.
Serve immediately, mixing in the butter at the table.
With a little fairy inspiration, I’m at the table in anticipation of St. Patrick’s Day
with a mossy runner, fairy rings, and a benevolent fairy :) as a centerpiece.
In Ireland, fairies are known to live in special places called fairy rings,
which are earthen circular mounds.
Fairy rings are created by fairies dancing in meadow grass, causing it to turn brown and bare,
or green with tall grasses, often with mushrooms growing around the edge.
Take caution and do not disturb them~ it is considered bad luck to interfere with these mounds. . .
For the table, woven chargers are surrounded by reindeer moss fairy rings.
Two moss runners from Hobby Lobby (18 x 48) are placed end-to-end over a foundation of green burlap,
also from Hobby Lobby.
Pots of Irish Moss fill Mikasa Stanton mugs, providing a pop of emerald green at each place setting.
With a wee bit of fairy magic :) daisies are
sprouting on the moss instead of mushrooms.
A centerpiece of green veggies and fruit and this week’s dinner :) is easy to assemble on a tray. . .
apples, cabbage, ruffly salad savoy, artichokes and Brussels sprouts,
sprinkled with daises and alstroemeria.
Florist water pick tubes keep alstroemeria from wilting and are tucked out of sight.
Daisies are long lasting even without water and are sprinkled in among the veggies.
Fairy Table Details:
Dishes/ Mikasa Stanton
White Chargers/ Deartis, T.J. Maxx
Woven Chargers/ World Market
Goblets/ HomeGoods
Napkins/ Pier 1
Napkin Rings/ Bed, Bath & Beyond
Flatware/ Argent Orfevres
If You See A Fairy Ring
“If you see a fairy ring
In a field of grass,
Very lightly step around,
Tiptoe as you pass;
Last night fairies frolicked there,
And they’re sleeping somewhere near.”
~William Shakespeare
I had such an overwhelming response to my cookbook giveaway
that I’m giving away two!
☘️ ☘️
The winners are:
O’Paula from Indiana
and
Pat at Back Porch Musings!
I’ll be in touch with you by email and your cookbooks will be on their way.
Thanks to all who entered!
Irish Champ
Ingredients
- 2 lbs. starchy potatoes, peeled and cut into even chunks (I used Yukon gold)
- 20 scallions some green tops included, chopped
- 1 1/2 cups milk
- 1/2 teaspoons peppercorns
- 1/4 cup snipped chives
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 cup 1 stick melted hot butter
- 2 chicken bouillon cubes
Instructions
- In large pot, add cubed potatoes; cover with cold water. Add 2 chicken bouillon cubes.
- Bring to boil and simmer 20 minutes or until done.
- While potatoes are cooking, put chopped scallions in a pan with milk and peppercorns.
- Simmer 5 minutes, then drain, reserving the milk and scallions separately.
- Drain potatoes well and put back into hot pot to help excess moisture evaporate.
- Mash potatoes until smooth, stirring in enough of the milk to produce a creamy consistency.
- Stir in scallions and chives. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Transfer to a warm serving bowl and make a well in the center to pour in the hot melted butter.
- Serve immediately, mixing in the butter at the table.
You can visit fairies at the table at the links below:
Beautiful tablescape!
Absolutely wonderful-love the fairy centerpiece.
♣♣♣ Magically Delicious! ♣♣♣ What a wonderfully enticing table, Mary…you had me at “potato”! Such creativity always amazes me, Lady…you are sooooo good!
Oh, Mary! I love this sweet little tabletop!!! Truly the potatoes are a pot of golden goodness. YUM! Congrats to your winners. I love the fairy circles, too!!!
This might be my very favorite of all your tablescapes.
xo,
Ricki Jill
I love how you incorporate veggies into centerpieces and even more that you use them in a fashion that saves them for food later on. I confess to loving potatoes as well. I’m allergic to milk so I make what my Welsh dad called poor man’s fast mashed potatoes. I make quick mashed potatoes by slicing the potato in quarter inch slices before dropping in the water to boil. I drain the potatoes reserving the water, mash, adding the cooking water back in as needed for moisture. I don’t add milk and will season with salt or butter at the table so everybody can modify sodium to their individual needs. I’ll have to try cooking the chives in the water to see if I can make modified champ. Thanks for your beautiful posts. I so enjoy seeing your artistry.
Artichokes, brussels sprouts and alstroemeria, probably my 3 favorite things to decorate with and of course you have combined them all into an award winning centerpiece! Love the moss in the cups and the greens under the charger, not to mention the fairie tales and the Shakespeare quote. What a wonderful way to start this rainy Monday
Jenna
Such a beautiful centerpiece! Running to Hobby Lobby for the Moss tablerunners. Cute Moss mounds on the cups. Long time no see, and missed you at the BDay party.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day. I know the fairies are happy!
Love that centerpiece! Always such beautiful pics! =)
Something happened while I was typing and part of my message went into Cyberspace? Maybe the fairy took it? Can you share where to find your fairy centerpiece-it is just wonderful?
It came from my retails days, I’ve had him/her :) about 15 years. It was designed as a bird feeder.
I have never been so charmed with Brussel sprouts! I adore your st Patrick’s prefeast centerpiece, FABULOUS ! The fairy ring is just perfect. I know potatoes are to you like chocolate is to me so you were feeling pretty darn lucky to be Irish serving your pot of gold in a fairy ring! But alas, us viewers truly are enjoying the luck of the Irish… As in you!
I was just admiring your gorgeous photos and showing them to J and then I got to the end of the post. Wow! We are both thrilled to win this lovely cookbook. One of our favorite restaurants is an Irish pub, not far from home. Can’t wait to experiment with the recipes.
You, dear Mary are the tablescape fairy. This table in various shades of green is splendid and do not get me started on my love of mashed potatoes. hugs, olive
Congratulations to tyhe winners!!! I adore this table and you must have been reading my mind with the grassy runner! I just got mine out to use on the table too!!!! I love the moss i the mugs and your centerpiece is fabulous. XO, Pinky
Beautiful table as always! Love the Shakespeare quote you included. Congratulations to the winners!
Loved your whole post. I like to believe in fairies. Your pictures were great. My sister went to Ireland ad she loved it. Happy Saint Patricks day.
Beautiful. Your post is delightful. I have a fairy my Mom gave me years ago and now you have inspired me to use it in a centerpiece.
I thought your “fairy” might be a bird bath but never thought about a bird feeder-will be on the lookout for something similar-thanks so much,
Also I need a new camera and one that does well in low light. Your pictures are so clear-can you recommend one that does well in low light? My dining room is on the west side of the house so my pictures tend to be a bit dark. Thanks.so much.
I don’t know that much about cameras but you can download Picasa for free and edit any photo, boosting the contrast or adding fill light :)
Mmmmmmm….the Champ looks delicious…Two of my favorite potato dishes are Champ and Colcannon! Your table is so lovely and fresh…Love it!
Mary, Mary, Mary….this is beautiful, beautiful, beautiful! I LOVE the centerpiece. That really is a work of art. I love edible centerpieces that stretch the dollar and the imagination, and that fairy is just precious. The cups o’ moss are pretty and delicate alongside the beefier chargers and moss of the place settings. Will I be making those onion-infused potatoes? Darn tootin’, I will!!!! :-) I’ll have to mask the pool of butter so the little Mr. doesn’t freak out about cholesterol (blah, blah, blah), but I’m making them!!! I have never heard of fairy rings, but if I ever get over there to Ireland (Bucket List item) I will be sure not to mess with them! Have a beautiful week!
Mary, what a beautiful table scape. I also love potatoes any way shape or form. I am going to make them!. Love the fairy in your display and it gives me an idea as I have one similar to yours which I have had for a long time.
Loved all the veggies in the center piece.
Thanks for sharing – its beautiful.
Mary
Beautiful centerpiece. I love the fairy. The whole table is gorgeous….Christine
I loved this entry. It’s absolutely beautiful! But I have a problem with the name of one of the desserts. I’d like to believe it is making a reference to the drink but considering the history of Ireland, “Irish Car Bomb” jumped out and grabbed at my chest. I think it is a poor choice of words. I would like to believe it was named by someone who was not born during the Irish War, not that long ago…Nonetheless, it hurt.
Ann, I meant no offense, I love all things Irish, including the people! An Irish Car Bomb is a popular drink, with the ingredients of Guinness, Bailey’s Irish Cream, and Jameson Irish Whiskey which are the ingredients in the brownie recipe and also popular ingredients in cupcakes for St. Patrick’s Day.
http://www.drinksmixer.com/drink7774.html
Very pretty Mary! I have to say I thought the centerpiece looked especially… delectable! Happy St. Patty’s Week:@)
I know you meant no offense, Mary. I don’t drink and only recently found out about a “bomb” but put in that context, it just bothered me. I know several people who took in Irish children during the summers. Remember that? Some of the kids born during that time knew nothing but war so there was a drive to have the children brought over here for fun and peace during summers. The kids were delightful. It’s just that it seems no different than an Isralie car bomb, an Iraq car bomb, an Afghanistan car bomb. I’m not blaming you, but in a country where everything has to be so “politically correct” I just would like to point out that there used to be MANY MANY car bombs –not drinks–in Ireland 20-30 years ago.
I love your site!!!
What a lovely post! The centerpiece is just gorgeous with its artful combination of shapes and textures. Thank you for sharing the fairy lore!
Suzanne
Wow what a fun centerpiece. You arranged everything so well. I never think to use food like a decorative object. You sure did a nice job with yours!
The champ dish looks delicious! I like the story about the fairies! Mine would have to leave a trail in the snow! Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
Oh my goodness! Brussel spouts have never looked so gorgeous!!! Just beautiful!! I love love love the whole table!!!
Mary, I LOVE your edible centerpiece! I would never have thought that you used a bird feeder, but that just shows how very clever you are! I always enjoy seeing your food artistry.
Mary this is such a beautiful tablesetting. You take such time with all you do and it all shows so nicely. I LOVE potatoes and am always looking for different ways to prepare. This one sounds wonderful..Happy Monday..Judy
Your post makes this Connolly very happy. Beautiful table, lots of green, and of course, potatoes! No Irish dinner was complete without them! I think I could peel by the time I was 6!
Congrats to the winners! You are so generous!
Thanks in advance for taking part in the 5th Annual Blog Crawl! I can’t wait to see all the green flowing through blogland on Wed.!
Slainte!
WOW!!!! What a fabulous t’scape in honour of St. Paddy’s Day! Love all the details and the info I learned from it! I’m sure all the Irish Fairies are very happy with your efforts!
DD
Your tabelscape is stunning and the potatoes sound soooooooo good and soooooooooo fattening. I still have to make some. Thanks tons for joining TTT. Hugs, Marty
Oh, this tablescape is magical! My favorite color is green, and I soooo wish I were Irish. (Mainly English, with a wee bit of Scot). I also love potatoes, as do my family, so I will be making these potatoes on the 17th, and I think they’ll vote the recipe a “keeper”!
Gorgeous “wearin’ o the green” on your table, Mary! I’ve made Champ before and love it! It would actually be my preferred way to eat mashed potatoes with the green onion and chives mixed in. A delicious taste of spring time.
Congrats to your winners! It looks like a delicious cookbook.
Everything is so breathtaking and lovely! Great job. The fairies are magical!
Gorgeous, gorgeous table setting Mary….you certainly have not left out any detail down to the moss in the cups..and congrats to the winners…and I know that Pat will be making great recipes from that book and creating a table of beauty to go with it!…Have a great day Mary!
Hi Mary,
One more question about your beautiful centerpiece. About what size is the bird feeder? It’s hard to guess from the picture. i love the fact that it’s large enough to hold all those vegetables, apples and flowers!! I am looking for something similar. Thanks so much.
The tray/leaf is 22 x 16. The fairy is 12 inches tall :)
This is a gorgeous table, and those mashed potatoes with the pool of butter? OOOOH man! Those look WONDERFUL!!! That would be my “pot of gold” right there! Love it! Thanks for sharing and Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
You must’ve sprinkled some fairy dust on your magical table, Mary! I loved all the pics of the fairy, flowers, champ and more! When we visited Ireland, we also saw Fairy trees, where people put mementos to remember their loved ones… enchanting!!
Hi Mary, Your table, as usual !!, is gorgeous, with the cabbages and moss! So clever! I love your little fairy boy/girl. We have fairy rings in our yard too, sometimes with mushrooms and sometimes with little violas in the grass, and we NEVER disturb them! :) I love the creaminess of yukon gold potatoes and your pot looks absolute delicious! I haven’t had my dinner yet! Happy St. Patty’s Day! Linda
Lovely greens for St. Patrick’s Day! You addition of moss and cabbages with the white as a contrast is beautiful. The napkins are a wonderful addition to your place setting. The information on the fairy mounds is perfect with your sweet fairy in the centerpiece and makes me think I must bring out my fairies for this a perfect time to decorate with them. Have a great March17th!
Pam
This is just so enchanting! Congrats to the winner first off. I love your centerpiece idea. I always think that fruits and veggies are so wonderful for the table. Your photos make it all look so easy. Your place settings are wonderful. Now I’m kicking myself for not picking up those napkins! Gorgeous as always. Wishing you a very Happy St. Patrick’s and may all the Irish blessings come your way! xo marlis
Gorgeous table…♥♥♥ the organic centerpiece and mosses. Thanks for sharing your tablescaping talents each week, Mary.
Mary, so much loveliness here I don’t know where to begin! Love the idea of green burlap and sheets of the moss. Will put HL on list of stops this week. ‘-) And the Irish moss in the cups is a wonderful touch. I saw the Irish moss available at Lowe’s when I shopped for garden annuals on Monday. Couldn’t think of a way to use it on my table. Obviously I’m not as clever as you. It’s darling sprouting daisy blooms. Also love the veggie centerpiece. You are a master at that! Every green detail of this table is magical. Happy St. Patrick’s Day! ~ Sarah
Thank you so much for the measurements of the fairy piece!
Mary, how I love those white chargers. Clever of you to use pots of Irish Moss to fill your mugs. Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
So gorgeous! I love so much about this table — the velvety moss, the stunning centerpiece, and those pretty napkins!
I’ve been drinking in your photos and Irish lore. So much beauty here, Mary. Your centerpieces are always beautiful, but this one may be my favorite (loved the heirloom tomatoes, too!).xxoo
Your St Patrick’s Day table is beautiful! And those potatoes look SOOO GOOD! Visiting from @http://nostalgic-summer.blogspot.com/
This is right up my alley! I love buttery potatoes!! You always have such delightful photographs to include in a post….beautiful.
What a stunning post! :)
It feels as if St. Patrick himself could dine here! Well done. I am hosting a giveaway on my blog. I hope you’ll stop by and enter.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
Mary,
LOVE. LOVE your use of fresh flowers and veggies with the fairy statue, and the moss cups. Another winner!
Your beautiful setting! I really like the moss and matching flowers vegetables!
Hugs from
La Buca delle Fate….Lieta
Hi Mary,
I found a very similar one on Ebay-new not old and I don’t think the detail of the fairy’s hair is as defined as yours. This one is cast iron and a bit smaller and on a pedestal. I can try to send you the link if you wouldn’t mind having a look at it and giving me your opinion.. Thanks so much.
Sure! My email address is at the bottom of my “about me” page.
Love this! All of the greens and cabbages brussel sprouts as mini cabbages and moss. Gee, can you tell how much I love this.
– The Tablescaper
You just always knock me out with your posts Mary. Absolutely gorgeous!
Your recipe sounds fabulous too. Congrats to the winners.
Big Hugs,
Susan and Bentley
Happy St. Paddy’s Day to you. I like your pot of gold.
Beautiful tabletop. Wonderful ideas.
Super duper adorable, Mary! I adored all the special touches. You are amazing!
PS. I particularly love the moss brew. I might have to borrow that one!
xo
Sheila
Beautiful, Beautiful Tablescape, and thanks for the potato recipe..I’m going to try it
Oh my gosh!! I love this post!! I am such a moss freak!! And I have never seen fruits and veggies looks so beautiful, fabulous!!!
OK, just let me take my Insulin and my cholesterol medication first then Please Pass the Champ my way , AND HURRY……OMG I could just eat the whole bowl and die a happy woman…….COMFORT FOOD to the MAX.
Bless my Irish Genes.
I have sited many fairy rings in my neighborhood this year. They started popping up here and there right after Christmas. Fairies getting ready for the new year. I have to tell you, the beauty of all that green just almost mesmerized me. Oh my, it just spoke straight to my soul. Calmed me right down. And, I needed calming down after seeing all the butter + potatoes.
Uh oh, excited again now…….Let me have another look at the beautiful green moss and vegetables……..happiness =your post THANKYOU
Love how you orchestrate so many wonderful elements, the storytelling, poetry, amazing food and fruit vegetables, flowers, fairy, floral and food design, photography, and weave it all together like a beautiful symphony that just leaves you speechless and spellbound. Just unbelievable artistry in one big hearted lady who is so gracious to share, such a rare gift.
I feel so inspired by each post, and so grateful to have found your site. I am from the Rocky Mountain area, but do enjoy reading southern hospitality books. To produce a magazine of that caliber requires collaboration of numerous artisans, but you do it all yourself, and frankly, are truly in a class all your own!
I remember this from before. Those potatoes look so good- I need to try them!
You have the most amazing blog. I’m enjoying all your different decorations, tablescapes, and food post so much! So glad I ran across your site. I’ve signed up to follow you. Can’t wait to make some of your beautiful food!
This is such a beautiful table Mary and those fairy rings definitely look best here on your post instead of elsewhere! I love the white plate stack on the woven chargers and the little moss balls- it’s all so crisp and spring-y. But I think it is your sweet fairy that has absolutely captured my heart and s/he is just gorgeous! What a fabulous find. The mashed potatoes look scrumptious too. Wishing you a very happy St. Patrick’s day!