Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Irish Potato Nibbles and A Brief Irish Potato History


Okay, so these look vaguely similar to nachos and I've seen them all over Pinterest by the name Irish Nachos but that's as close as the similarity gets since these are made with potatoes, cheddar cheese, sour cream and green onions. Dee-lish-ous!


I made my own waffle fries with my mandoline but I sliced them too thin so they were fragile and broke when I tossed them with oil and seasonsings.  Next time, I'll make them thicker to withstand the tossing and flipping!  I used the method Cuisine Kathleen used for oven fries in this post, using a hot water soak and then roasting them in the oven for a healthier nibble.

Did you know that the Irish did not start cultivating potatoes until the 1700s, after they were discovered in the New World and brought to Europe?  With the introduction of the potato, a plentiful and cheap food source, the population increased greatly and especially among the poor.  

Potatoes were so over planted and the so soil overworked that disease struck the potato crops.  It was devastating to the huge number of potato farmers who were left with nothing else to eat. A million died and another million left Ireland!  

No other nation in the world had their cuisine changed so drastically as the Irish with potatoes, with the possible exception of the effect of the tomato on Southern European cuisine. It is only in the past 50 years that the Irish diet is beginning to return to what it was at the start of the eighth century. More interesting information on this topic can be found here.

Irish Potato Nibbles
Inspired by 'Irish Nachos' from Various Sites

Russet potatoes, perhaps 1-2 per person, scrubbed
Shredded cheddar cheese
Sour Cream
Chopped green onions

Use the crinkle blade for your mandoline and slice the potatoes using this method - or simply buy some frozen waffle cut fries.


Place potato slices in a bowl of hot water for 15 minutes. Meanwhile preheat oven to 425.

Drain and wrap potato slices in a clean kitchen towel to absorb as much water as possible, then pat dry with paper toweling.

Place slices in a bowl and toss with a little olive oil and sprinkle on your choice of seasonings. Place on a heavy, rimmed baking sheet sprayed with non-stick spray and bake about 20-30 minutes, depending on your oven, turning over half way through baking.

Enjoy!
Dance a jig on over to the 4th Annual Blog Crawl at Cuisine Kathleen.

50 comments:

  1. "Irish Nachos" Hahahahaha! My Mother would turn over in her grave if she heard that! They look yummy & I will surely try making them soon. I think I'll BUY some waffle fries though...last time I used my mandoline, I sliced my little finger badly.

    Thanks for sharing the recipe & how you did them.

    Happy Early St. Patrick's Day,
    Rett

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  2. Oh they do sound wonderful. I'm going back for my history lesson right now.

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  3. Interesting information. Just sitting here reading it with my daughter as we enjoy the Irish Potato Nibbles recipe you shared. They look good!

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  4. Those look delicious! I can't wait to try your recipe. Wish I had some right now-I'm starving! (just getting ready to cook dinner..)
    -Lynn

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  5. I remember seeing a documentary of the potato famine in Ireland on PBS many years ago. Hard to believe that the simple potato could have caused such an upheaval.
    I pretty much like most recipes that have potatoes involved and would sure hate to see them vanish from our cuisine. Your nachos look delicious.

    Happy St. Patrick's Day to you as well.

    Best,
    Bonnie

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  6. Thanks for sharing this - think I will be trying them. Enjoyed the history lesson

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  7. What an interesting history, Susan. My ancestors were a part of the migration to the US that was a result of the potato famine in Ireland in the late 1800's. Potatoes, cheese and sour cream - 3 of my favorite foods.

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  8. Oh my, I seem to have missed these on Pinterest... They look great Susan:@)

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  9. What a perfect St. Patty's day treat. Just so happens it's also March Madness, so they'd make a great basketball watching munchie as well.

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  10. Susan, I just bought a bag of russets! What a delicious St. Patty's day treat!

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  11. Susan, I may have to go off my food watch (I refuse to use the word diet) on St. Patty's. These look so wonderful. I think I would eat a whole plate of them. Bonnie

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  12. They look delicious, I'm definitely making these!

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  13. nice recipe and cool waffle fries wow 1 million a lot of people

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  14. Great idea, I'll be trying these for my potato-obsessed hub.

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  15. Irish nachos, they will be good with my Irish Taco!
    They look delicious, Susan. What could be bad with those ingredients!
    Thanks so much for taking part in the blog crawl, and giving us so much food for thought! :)

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  16. Happy St. Paddy's Day. I could never turn down a potato!

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  17. Now this is a lucky find, Susan! I am anxious to make it for my gang. They will join together for a little jig. Happy St Patty's!

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  18. I have never heard of these, but they do sound wonderful; Great name Irish Natcho. Happy St Pat's.
    Rita

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  19. These look delicious! I've never met a potato I didn't like and I can't think of anything more tragic than a potato famine :) Happy St. Paddy's Day~

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  20. You are reminding me of my Irish neighbor Mary, who loves her potatoes so much! do too over here, we get great tasting ones and I want to make this this weekend for St Pat's!

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  21. What a great alternative to nachos and your shots of them look very good.

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  22. Thanks for the interesting history lesson about Irish potatoes. I remember seeing this recipe on Cuisine Kathleen's blog too and they made my mouth water....and now they have as I look at yours too. I must buy some fries to make my own.

    Thanks for sharing at my party!

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  23. Those potatoes look delish...potatoes are one of my dietary downfalls, or maybe it is just the toppings I like to use!

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  24. Very interesting history. Thanks

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  25. I'm half Irish and loving this creative recipe.

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  26. Such interesting history and amazing how food can change a country like the potato did for Ireland.

    These sound wonderful. Sour cream, cheddar and green onions are such a great combination - especially over potatoes - yum!

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  27. Thanks for sharing the interesting information and the recipe. Sorry I'm late to arrive, but I've been away from my computer. Happy St. Patrick's Day! ~ Sarah

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  28. These look delicious! Hmm, I may try these for the 17th!

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  29. So interesting the story about Irish and potatoes...and you potato nibbles look great, like the waffle shape :)
    Hope you are having a great week Susan and thanks for this informative post.

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  30. I'm not generally such a fan of nachos....but these are not yo' momma's nachos! They sound delicious!

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  31. Oh my, this would just be such a fabulous treat. I love that you made your own waffle fries. I havent tried making them by hand. Your photos are so mouthwatering. Great idea for St. Patrick's Day.

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  32. I love "Irish" nachos :)

    A local restaurant near me serves there's with tater tots and pulled pork which is crazy delicious.

    I've never thought to make my own version at home though and I'm loving the idea with waffle fries. Trying this soon!

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  33. Potatoes came to Greece late as well! It was after the Greek revolution against Otoman Occupation of 1821 that potato was introduced in the Greek inhabitants. These potato nachos look delicious and I am keeping this to try cause I am a big, big fan of potatoes!

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  34. I'm still smiling at Irish nachos. If it's got a potato in it, count me in.
    Sam

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  35. This could be a meal in itself, Susan! I think I'll try it with the frozen waffle fries...how easy will that be??!! Happy St. Patrick's Day to you, too.

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  36. they look incredibly good! I love nachos but this is such a great idea

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  37. Nachoa with potatoes...oh yes please!! (smile), my hubby would love these!!

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  38. I'm always afraid of cutting something off when I use the mandolin!
    Taters look yummy....

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  39. Gorgeous potato nibbles...thanks for sharing the recipe and the history.
    Happy St. Patrick's Day!
    Angie

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  40. I did not know that the potatoes were a New World crop. Amazing the impact this root vegetable has had on a country. These nacho chips are so festive.

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  41. Really interesting post! I love this recipe!

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  42. I can't wait to try this lovely recipe Susan, Irish nachos, great idea!have a good weekend, a warm hug...

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  43. Thank you for this criss/cross potato tip. I've not made them, but have wanted to drag out the mandolin and give it a try. I'm sure I would have made them too thin.

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  44. Num Susan... great little recipe (I've never used the waffle thing on the mandoline!!). Loved the history of the potato and Ireland and yes, it's impossible to separate the new world potato from Ireland, isn't it? How can you not love them after turnips and carrots... they are a remarkably versatile vegetable!!!

    Happy St Pats!

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  45. That looks delicious! My family would really love this, potatoes are a favourite in my house! Interesting history on the Irish potatoes!
    Wishing you a lovely St. Patrick's Day!

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  46. Thanks everyone for your comments! I hope you all had a fun St. Patrick's Day weekend.

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  47. Adorable, Susan! Wonderful recipe-idea :) Loving the name Irish Nachos :) Happy weekend!

    Hugs <3

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  48. These are going to be a BIG hit at our house! I'm headed to the store tomorrow for the potatoes and green onions. I have everything else. Gosh, wish I had some right now.

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  49. Mmmm Irish nachos? Sounds too amazing :D
    Thanks for the history sa well as the gobsmacking gorgeous photos!

    Cheers
    Choc Chip Uru
    Latest: Colossal Caramel Peanut Monster Cookies

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