Irish Potato Farls

Irish Potato Farls: A Traditional Comfort Food

If you’re looking to bring a taste of Ireland to your table, look no further than these delicious Irish Potato Farls. This traditional Irish dish, also known as potato bread, is made from simple ingredients but packs a punch of comfort and flavor. Crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, potato farls are the perfect addition to a hearty breakfast or enjoyed on their own with a slather of butter.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Potato farls are incredibly easy to make with only a handful of pantry staples. The light and fluffy texture of the mashed potatoes, combined with the golden, crispy exterior, makes them irresistible. Whether you serve them as part of a traditional Irish breakfast or alongside soups and stews, these farls are the ultimate comfort food.

Ingredients

• 4 cups (650g) potatoes, peeled and chopped (use Russet, Maris Piper, or Roosters)
• ¾ cup (4oz/115g) all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ teaspoons sea salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons (1oz/28g) butter (plus more for cooking)

Directions

1. Prepare the Potatoes:

• Start by peeling and chopping your potatoes. It’s important to weigh them for accuracy to ensure the correct texture.
• Steam or boil the potatoes in a medium pot until they are fork-tender, about 20-25 minutes.

2. Mash the Potatoes:

• Once the potatoes are cooked, drain them and let them dry in a sieve for about 5 minutes. This helps remove excess moisture, ensuring the farls don’t become too dense.
• While the potatoes are still hot, mash them using a ricer, sieve, or potato masher until smooth and fluffy.

3. Form the Dough:

• To the mashed potatoes, stir in the flour, sea salt, black pepper, and melted butter. Mix the ingredients until they come together to form a dough. You should have a soft and pliable dough that’s easy to work with.

4. Shape the Farls:

• Lightly flour your work surface and turn the dough out onto it. Flatten the dough into an 8-inch round disc, ensuring it’s even in thickness.
• Use a knife or dough scraper to cut the disc into 6 equal pieces, creating triangular farls.

5. Cook the Farls:

• Heat a large frying pan or skillet over medium heat and melt a generous knob of butter.
• Add the farls to the hot pan and cook them for about 5 minutes on each side, or until they are golden brown and crispy on the outside, but still soft and fluffy in the center.

6. Serve:

• Serve the farls immediately while they are hot. They are a perfect accompaniment to a traditional Irish breakfast, or they can be enjoyed on their own with a pat of butter or alongside soups and stews.

Tips for Success

• Dry the potatoes thoroughly: After boiling, let the potatoes sit in a sieve to drain any excess moisture. This helps achieve a fluffy texture in your farls.
• Cook until crispy: Be patient when frying the farls—let them turn golden brown and crisp up before flipping for the perfect texture.
• Serving suggestions: Potato farls are often enjoyed as part of a full Irish breakfast, but they also pair wonderfully with scrambled eggs, smoked salmon, or even topped with jam for a sweet twist.

Serving Suggestions

These Irish Potato Farls are a versatile dish that can be served in various ways:

• As part of a traditional Irish breakfast: Serve them alongside eggs and sausages for a hearty meal.
• On their own: Enjoy farls with butter or a dollop of sour cream for a simple yet satisfying snack.
• With soup or stew: Farls are a great accompaniment to warm soups or stews, soaking up the flavors beautifully.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Calories: 200 kcal per serving
Servings: 6 farls

There’s no better way to bring a bit of Ireland into your kitchen than with these homemade Irish Potato Farls. Simple, comforting, and satisfying, this traditional dish is the perfect addition to any meal. Try them today and enjoy the rich, hearty flavors of Ireland!

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