Cheese and Vegetable Champ is a modern Northern Irish recipe for a classic accompaniment of mashed potatoes mixed with peas and fried onions that's enriched with grated mature Cheddar cheese and which is much richer in flavour than the classic champ. The full recipe is presented here and I hope you enjoy this classic Northern Irish version of: Cheese and Vegetable Champ.
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This is a slightly more indulgent version of traditional Northern Irish champ that includes peas and Cheddar cheese in the mix. It makes and excellent accompaniment, but is even better when used as a topping for shepherd's pies, cottage pies, etc.
Ingredients:
3 large floury potatoes (eg Maris Piper, King Edwards etc), peeled and cubed
1 small handful of frozen peas
2 kale leaves, chopped (optional)
knob of butter
2 spring onions, finely sliced
30ml milk
90g mature Cheddar cheese, coarsely grated
pinch of smoked paprika
Method:
Bring a pan of salted water to a boil, add the potatoes and bring gently to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook for about 20 minutes, or until the potatoes are nearly done through. At this point, add the frozen peas and chopped kale and cook for a few minutes more, or until the peas are tender.
Melt the butter in a small pan, add the spring onions and fry gently for 1 minute. Stir in the milk, allow to heat through then take off the heat.
Drain the potato and pea mixture in a colander. Return to the pan and mash thoroughly then add the warmed milk mixture and mash until smooth then work in the cheese and a pinch of paprika.
