Nettle & Brie Mashed Potatoes

Have you ever had colcannon, the Irish mixture of potatoes, green veggies and onions? It is basically a classic mash potato recipe with the addition of green veggies or wild edibles and onions, and it's totally malleable so you can play on the green things you'd like to use. Traditionally is made with cabbage or kale and for the most part, spring onions are added to make it a colcannon.

Here is an original adaptation with wild nettle, garlic, spring onion and two types of cheese - brie and cheddar. A winning combination!

It is fabulous served as a side or a light meal.

Serves: 4

Prepare: 20 minutes

Cook: 30 minutes

Ingredients:

• 200ml whole milk
• 3 thyme sprigs
• 1kg potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
• 2 garlic cloves, peeled
• 30g unsalted butter
• pinch of nutmeg
• 200g wild nettles, blanched, strained and chopped
• 100g French mild brie, thinly sliced
• 30g mature cheddar, grated

1. Heat the milk and thyme in a small pan until almost boiling; take off the heat and set aside to infuse. Meanwhile, put the potatoes and garlic cloves in a separate large pan; cover with cold water and a pinch of salt. Bring to the boil, then simmer for 10-15 minutes, until the potatoes are tender. Drain well, discard the bay leaves and steam-dry for 2-3 minutes.

2. Mash the potatoes and garlic cloves with the milk and 15g butter; discard the thyme. Season, add the nutmeg, set aside and keep warm.

3. Heat the remaining 15g butter in a large frying pan until foaming. Add the nettles and sauté for 3-5 minutes, until softened. Fold the greens and the cheese through the warm mash and serve, with plenty of black pepper.

This is pure comfort food at its very best - simple, inexpensive ingredients thrown together to create a wonderful meal.