Today is St. Patrick’s Day. To get ready for it, I’ve been learning a new recipe. For the last week, I’ve been reading about Irish Farls or potato bread. Irish potato bread was developed as a part of an Irish breakfast. Instead of a fluffy loaf that most of us consider bread, farls are flat pan-fried bread. They are closer to potato pancakes than a loaf of bread.
The word farl originates from the Gaelic word meaning four parts. Irish soda bread and potato bread dough are often flattened balls which you cut into 4 pieces. Then farls are cooked on a griddle or pan. There is butter in the dough, and it is usually spread on the individual pieces when served. They are a rustic, comforting addition to breakfast and seem to disappear fast. It is wonderful with fried eggs.
The recipe transforms 4 ingredients – mashed potatoes, butter, flour, and salt – into a golden, crispy-edged addition to an Ulster fry breakfast. My only addition to the recipe is a little olive oil for the pan to fry the farls.
When I was exploring and reading this week, I found other bloggers who offer several ways to make it your own. I haven’t tried all of these yet, but as always, I do feel sometimes we have to alter recipes to meet our family’s needs and wants. My sister does something similar but with an egg added to the dough. A few bloggers suggest adding a couple of tablespoons of chopped fresh herbs like dill, thyme, chives or oregano. One blogger added blended defrosted frozen spinach to the dough. I think adding grated cheese would be wonderful. The dough can tend to be sticky and you may have to add more flour when you’re kneading. With additions to the dough like herbs or cheese, add more flour as you knead to combine the addition with dough.
Irish Potato Bread or Farls
Use organic when available. Serves 4
Irish Potato Bread or Farls
Ingredients
- 4 medium potatoes peeled & chopped (about 1 1/3 cups)
- 1 tbsp melted butter or margarine
- 1/4 cup flour plus extra for dusting
- a pinch of salt
- a pinch of black pepper
- 1/2 tbsp olive oil
- extra butter or margarine for serving
Instructions
- Add potatoes to large pan of cold water
- Bring potatoes to the boil on high heat, then reduce to a hard simmer on medium
- Cook until center of potatoes are soft when pricked
- Drain potatoes and leave in pot on stove with burner turned off
- Potatoes will dry with residual heat and cool
- Optional place cooked cool potatoes in refrigerator for several hours; I find cold potatoes combine with the flour easier than warm.
- Mash with a potato masher until smooth
- Optional make mashed potatoes for dinner with extra to save in the refrigerator
- Place cold mashed potatoes in a medium bowl
- Stir in flour, melted butter, salt & pepper, and any additions
- Mix lightly until dough forms
- Knead dough lightly on a well-floured surface
- Dough will be sticky. Add flour as needed
- Use a floured rolling pin to flatten into a 9-inch circle about 1/4 inch thick
- Cut into quarters using a floured knife or pizza cutter
- Sprinkle olive oil in bottom of iron skillet on medium high heat
- Cook farls until evenly browned, about 3 to 5 minutes on each side
- Only flip once the bottom is golden or farls can fall apart
- Season with a little salt and serve straight away with butter or margarine
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
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…I’ve never had this, but I love potatoes.
I have never heard of farls. They look good. I like most things with potato in them! #MMBC
I have made farls before and my husband said they were delicious!
This looks so yummy. I’ve never heard of farls either. I love all things potato! I made a lentil shepherd’s pie for our St. Patty’s Day. Thanks for stopping over Carol!
These look and sound delicious and easy to make. I really want to try this recipe 🙂
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
#MMBC
I haven’t had potato farls for years, I really fancy eating them now! My grandad used to make them using up leftover mashed potato. These are something that everyone seems to have a different recipe for. I think cheesy one’s would be amazing!
These sound delicious! I have never heard of them before.
Never made of tasted potato bread farls. Something new to me.
Saw your awesome post at Will Blog for Comments.
My entries this week #18+19
Please share with SSPS: https://esmesalon.com/tag/seniorsalonpitstop/
These look really tasty, I might give them a try.
Indeed, I’m a great fan of Ireland, of St. Patrick too. A wonderful Post. Thank you for sharing.
Greetings by Heidrun
Ooooo, that looks right up my street. Thanks Carol and I am a couple of days late but I hope you had a wonderful St. Patrick’s Day 🙂 ☘️
I hope you did too!
Oh, wow, this sounds yummy! I’ve never heard of farls but would love to try. Thanks for sharing this post with us at the Will Blog for Comments #58 linkup. Looking forward to seeing what you share at #59. 🙂 Have a great weekend!
Aw, these reminded me of when I went to Dublin. They are really tasty! Cheesy ones are a great twist on this recipe too. Pinning this one!
Thanks so much for sharing Carol. 😊