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Spring Green and Bacon Potato Cakes with Cheddar and Chive Sauce

February 27, 2012 By All That I'm Eating 23 Comments

Spring greens offer so much in their name. They suggest that either spring is here or is just around the corner, they have disguised their cabbage relations with their seasonal pseudonym. I happen to think that spring greens also deliver a lot. They look shrivelled and unwelcoming with their leaves closed to the outside world but once you start to snap them off and slice them up they are wonderfully versatile. As a relation to the cabbage, spring greens lend themselves particularly well to a pairing with bacon. Spring greens and bacon are a delectable combination but don’t make for much of a meal on their own. However, when mixed into some mashed potato and smothered in a rich cheese and chive sauce, what a meal it makes. 
 spring green and bacon potato cake
For the potato cakes:
600g potatoes (Maris Piper are ideal)
£0.54
Milk and butter (for the mash)
£0.20
6 rashers smoked, streaky bacon
£1.50
4-5 big leaves savoy cabbage (or Spring greens)
£0.20
Salt and pepper
£0.02
For the cheese sauce:
25g butter
£0.15
25g plain flour
£0.02
300ml milk
£0.10
75g strong cheddar cheese
£0.85
Small handful fresh chopped chives
£0.40
Total
£3.98

 
First and foremost make some mashed potato. Maris Pipers I found to be particularly good; they are fluffy enough to make mash like a cloud and yet waxy enough to hold the greens and bacon in. Mash your potatoes as you see fit; add milk, butter, cream and anything you fancy but don’t forget the salt and pepper. While the potatoes are boiling away, slice some bacon and fry in a pan. Snap the leaves of the spring greens off and shred it finely. Add to the bacon and carry on frying until lovely and golden. For two people I used four rashers of bacon and five large spring green leaves.

Frying the bacon and spring greens
Mix the bacon and spring greens into the mash and form into cake shapes. I made four largish cakes. If you are brave, fry them until brown on both sides; they have a tendency to break up and fall apart if you aren’t patient with them. Patience is not one of my virtues and so I put a little knob of butter on top of the cakes and put them under the grill.
While the cakes are browning, make the cheddar and chive sauce. Melt a little butter in a pan, stir in some flour and keep cooking for a minute or so. Whisk in milk a little at a time making sure there are no lumps. Making a roux like this means it’s difficult to give amounts. I used roughly a dessert spoon of butter, the same of flour and enough milk to make the sauce the consistency I wanted it. I always add less milk and add more if it’s too thick. When the sauce is glossy, remove from the heat and add a handful of grated cheddar and a healthy amount of chopped chives.
spring green and bacon potato cake with cheddar and chive sauce
I consider this to be a humble meal but one that gives you a bit of everything. It has warmth, crispy bits on the top, comfort from the potato, salty bacon, your mouth is coated with silky cheese sauce and the chives add a brilliant freshness. This might not be magnificent in appearance but it is marvellous in flavour; just like spring greens themselves.

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Filed Under: Bacon, Budget Meals, Butter, Cabbage, Cheese, Chives, Dairy & Eggs, Dinner, February, Herbs, Meat & Fish, Potatoes, Recipes By Month, Seasons, Spring Greens, Vegetables, Winter Tagged With: budget meals, Cheese, dinner, recipe

« Classic French Onion Soup
Jerusalem Artichoke Gratin, Buttered Spring Greens and Sausages »

Comments

  1. Maya says

    February 27, 2012 at 22:09

    Humble meals are always the greatest, and when you combine bacon, potato and cheese, something magical happens. I love that you added texture by grilling the cakes, its like the crispy bits when you make shepherds pie.

    Reply
  2. parttimehousewife.com says

    February 27, 2012 at 22:12

    yum! cheddar and chive sauce! sounds amazing

    Reply
  3. Inessa says

    February 27, 2012 at 22:14

    Mmmmm…. Potatoes, Bacon and cheese…love it :))

    Reply
  4. firefoodie says

    February 28, 2012 at 00:29

    Spring greens I just love them. It’s the first really green stuff that hits us after a long winter and as soon as I see it on the shelves it’s mine. My family, however always ask about the ‘unfamiliar’ green stuff on the table at this time of year (but do eat it). Every year I sound like a broken record… spring greens… first of the season bla bla. Your bacon, spud thing is GOOD and may convert them. Try also the Italian way.. ‘Riceta Tipica’.. basically lightly fried greens with garlic and then dressed with olive oil and lemon 🙂

    Reply
  5. Petra08 says

    February 28, 2012 at 08:38

    Sounds great! Sometimes the siple things are the best!

    Reply
  6. Emma says

    February 28, 2012 at 12:01

    Yum, such lovely classic flavours. Lucky ducks going into spring eh?

    Reply
  7. Julie at Burnt Carrots says

    February 28, 2012 at 16:08

    Its hard to believe that spring is around the corner when we have a snow storm coming tonight! These look perfect to curl up with on a cold night. I just love how you describe each recipe – its just like being in the kitchen with you!

    Reply
  8. Alida says

    February 28, 2012 at 23:08

    This is an excellent recipe. It is healthy, filling and flavourful. I love the ideas of combining vegetables, potatoes and cheese. Great presentation too. Well done you!

    Reply
  9. Kiri W. says

    February 29, 2012 at 02:22

    Mmm, these look fresh and spring-appropriate 🙂 Very nice recipe!

    Reply
  10. the food dude says

    February 29, 2012 at 03:09

    Awesome mash with bacon and greens, I want this now! Great post!

    Reply
  11. Nava.K says

    February 29, 2012 at 04:47

    I think after seeing my recipe of jacket potatoes, you would have realize how much potatoes have become one of those we simply drool.

    This tasty looking potato cakes add on another one of potato recipe for me try and enjoyed into at the same time.

    Reply
  12. alicecantcook.com says

    February 29, 2012 at 09:38

    Mmmm this is like a super update on bubble & squeak! x

    Reply
  13. Jenn Kendall says

    February 29, 2012 at 20:21

    potato, bacon, cheddar, chives…DELICIOUS! this sounds like perfect comfort food 🙂

    Reply
  14. Ruth REYNOSO-SANCE says

    February 29, 2012 at 22:32

    Those cakes look amazing! I have to get veggie bacon (I know it’s not the same) to try this recipe 🙂

    Reply
  15. Helene Dsouza says

    March 1, 2012 at 16:01

    maybe humble but it tastes for sure amazing! absolutly support u with this dish.

    Reply
  16. Only Fish Recipes says

    March 1, 2012 at 22:48

    first time in ur space…potato, bacon, cheddar,chives….wow…that makes one complete n delicious meal…loved it….I’m ur new follower now !if u like seafood recipes, I hav a blog only on fish recipes…..do visit my space in ur free time 🙂

    Reply
  17. Marina says

    March 2, 2012 at 04:47

    I love this humble meal! Very tasty!

    Reply
  18. Lola Lobato says

    March 5, 2012 at 18:57

    Love this for lunch! would be nice as small bites or appetizers.

    Reply
  19. Helena / Rico sin Azúcar says

    March 5, 2012 at 20:27

    Great potato and bacon burguer-cakes: so tasty!

    Reply
  20. El Pasticcio says

    March 7, 2012 at 13:56

    I love these cakes, they must be very tasty!

    Reply
  21. spiceblogger says

    March 8, 2012 at 13:43

    Thanks for the friend request on Foodbuzz! 🙂 I buzzed ya.
    These potato cakes look delish!

    Look forward to more recipe swapping 🙂

    –shelley

    Reply
  22. Mark Willis says

    December 7, 2013 at 10:34

    That recipe could come in at even less than £4 if you used leftovers of mash from the night before…
    I always fry potato cakes, but I might try your grilling method next time.

    Reply

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All That I'm EatingWelcome to my site All That I’m Eating. You will find inventive recipes using seasonal and foraged ingredients as well as everyday easy meals and a few indulgent recipes too.

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