PARSNIP & POTATO PANCAKES

Recipe
3 cups yams or sweet potatoes, grated
3 cups parsnips, grated
1/2 cup green onions, chopped
1/3 cup all purpose flour
1 1/2 tbsp thyme
2 eggs, beaten
2 tbsp. olive oil
S&P to taste

Servings: 10-12 individual pancakes

In a large bowl combine potatoes, parsnips, green onions, flour, thyme and beaten eggs. Season with S&P. Toss with your hands making sure the egg is blended well and evenly distributed in the vegetables. Preheat a skillet or saute pan on med. heat with 1 1/2 tbsp. of olive oil. Add the mixture in individual pancake size portions, patting down to make even. Brown for 3-4 minutes. Check to see if crispy, then drizzle olive oil over the top (so it won't stick) before flipping. Turn over and brown other side for another 3-4 minutes. That's it!

NOTE: Make sure your saute pan isn't too hot or the pancakes will brown too quickly and the veg. won't be cooked.

This is a great brunch idea and you'll definitely impress you're friends. It is not only delicious, it makes a great healthy alternative to fried potatoes. Even the little ones will like it because it's sweet and has the name Pancake. You can always trust an Irishman. We think of everything!

The Healthy Irishman LIVE!

Here's your chance to come see me in action! This Sat, March 15th from 12noon-1pm I'll be doing a food demonstration at Surfas Restaurant Supply in Culver City, CA. The menu is but of course, all about traditional Irish food made healthy--just in time for your St. Paddy's Day feast! Brown soda bread with Smoked salmon to get us going followed by Beef and porter pie. How can you resist?

Autographs free.


For more info, click below. https://www.surfasonline.com/promotions/index.cfm

PARSNIP & APPLE SOUP

1 med. leek - white part only, washed and chopped
1 1/2 tbsp. olive oil
3 med. parsnips - peeled, coarsely chopped
4 1/2 cups chicken or veg broth (organic if poss.)
small bunch fresh thyme
2 gala apples (or Fuji, red)-peeled, chopped
S&P to taste

Start by sauteing the leeks in olive oil for 5 mins. on low-med.heat. DO NOT BROWN. Add parsnips and saute for additional 5-10 mins. or until they begin to soften. Add in 2 cups broth and thyme, bring to a boil. Once boiled reduce to a simmer and partially cover with lid for 25 mins. Check to ensure parsnips are cooked with a fork. Remove thyme sprigs and discard.
Blend in batches along with apples. NOTE: Don't over-fill blender with hot liquid as it will expand when blended. Puree the soup with an additional 2 1/2 cups of broth until smooth.
Taste & season with S&P.
Easy peasey.

PARSNIP & CARROT MASH

This is a great side dish that I grew up eating all the time. I love it. My mother used to add lots of butter to get the smooth consistency but as you'll see, I prefer to use olive oil and broth.



4 servings
3 parsnips - peeled & chopped
3 carrots - peeled & chopped
3 tbsp. broth
1 tbsp. olive oil
S&P to taste
This couldn't be easier. Boil the parsnips & carrots together and when cooked, mash. Add in your broth & olive oil to smooth. Taste & season. I like to keep it a little chunky but if you prefer a smoother consistency you can puree it.
Welcome to Sunday lunch.

CURRIED PARSNIPS

PARSNIP TIPS:

Since I'm getting used to this video stuff I may be leaving out my 'healthified' tips so here goes:
Olive Oil vs. Butter: it's true parsnips love butter but your arteries and arse may not appreciate it as much. Olive oil contains the "good fats" and works just fine on those taste buds.
Honey vs. Sugar: parsnips are also partial to sugar but as we all now that's a no-no as much as possible. Lean towards honey, agave, or even pure maple syrup to get the effect but without using refined sugars. Parsnips tend to be sweet on their own so you'll be amazed how easy it will be not to use sugar.
Curry Powder: bloody good stuff on 'em!

INTRO TO PARSNIPS: ROASTING

MARCH MADNESS OF IRISH GRUB

Just when you thought I had checked out, I'm back with a vengeance! I started a new job last week which kiboshed me from doing any blog stuff but I've got some excellent ideas brewing for the entire month of March. In honor of my favorite holiday St. Paddy's Day (big shock) I am dedicating March the month of the Irish (which should be most months but we'll just take one!). I'll be cooking some delicious food that I ate growing up as well as some 'healthified' traditional grub. I'll even throw in some factoids and sips of Guinness along the way....how else would the Irish do it?!
On the board this week:

Ya, it's all about parsnips! The lovely parsnip...a staple in all kitchens growing up. Don't know much about them? Here's what's not on the box;

The ancient veg is thought to have originated around the eastern Mediterranean region and believed that the Celts brought them back from their forays to the east. In Medieval Europe sugar was rare & honey expensive. Moreover the starchy potato had not yet arrived; the only alternative was the sweet, starchy parsnip. Introduced to North America by early settlers they were used as a sweetener until the development of the sugar beet in the 19th century. In Italy, pigs bred for the best quality Parma are still fed on parsnips.

Parsnips are richer in vitamins & minerals than cousin carrot and are sweeter & almost nutty in taste. They are packed with fiber, offering more than that found in many ready-to-eat cereals. They are low in calories, but that depends on how you cook them, of course. Though they get along famously with butter and honey I've got some tricks to cook them without adding all the extra calories while keeping all the flavor. Thanks to Wikipedia and Innvista.

Now that I've introduced you to Sir. Parsnip, stay tuned all week to see the recipes!

IRISHMAN FOR HIRE

I catered a party last night for one of my clients so I wanted to show you all what I did. Sometimes it doesn't pan out the way you think it will or should but with my usual crew in tow, everything was golden. And yes, my usual photographer, aka the Mrs. was dragged along.
Menu:

ANTIPASTO PLATTER

Marinated olives, Gourmet cheese selection

Prosciutto, Salamis, Tapenade, Hummus

Toasted lavash and pita chips

BUFFET

Herb grilled flank steak w/ cilantro mint pesto

Grilled red onions

Cedar plank salmon filet

Roast mini potatoes w/

Herb & red wine vinaigrette

Grilled asparagus w/ lemon olive oil

Grilled baby orange & white carrots

Crispy butternut squash risotto cakes

Baby arugula salad w/ blistered cherry tomatoes, shaved parmesan

Balsamic vinaigrette