I was recently challenged by Travelodge to create a Northern dish. I have lived in North for over 5 years now, and I can say I know a thing or 2 about the dishes, so I decided to give it a go. With a budget of £50, I went into Sainsburys to get the items I needed, which were:
- 450g Potatoes
- Mixed Vegetables
- 250g Lancashire Cheese
- Salt
- Black Pepper
- 2 fat cloves of Garlic
- 25g Butter
I wanted to make a simple dish I could share with my kids. I wanted a dish centred around Lancashire Cheese, and I didn’t want to complicate things as I am not a food blogger, but I do love a good challenge. My kids love anything with potatoes in it, so I decided to make mashed potatoes with garlic and Lancashire cheese.
Here are the steps:
- Start by placing the garlic in a small saucepan with the butter, leave it on the lowest heat possible to melt and infuse for 20 minutes.
- While that is melting, thinly peel the skins of the potatoes and cut them into even-sized chunks, or cut any large potatoes into quarters and small ones into halves if you prefer that.
- Place the potatoes in a steamer, sprinkle 1 level dessertspoonful of salt, put a lid on and let them cook for 20 minutes, or until it feels tender in the centre when tested with a skewer.
- While that is cooking, start to grate the cheese and stem some mixed vegetables.
5. Once the potatoes are cooked, with an electric hand whisk, switch to slow and begin to break up the potatoes, then add the melted butter and garlic, some black pepper and a handful of the grated cheese. Now switch the speed to high and continue adding the cheese, a handful at a time, while you whisk.
6. As you whisk the cheese in, the potatoes will turn translucent and glossy, which means it will be ready to be served soon, as you continue to lift and whisk, it will form stiff, glossy peaks. When all the cheese is in, it is ready to be served.
7. Add some mixed vegetables and enjoy with a bottle of wine (water or juice for the kids, lol). You can also add some gravy if you want, I tend not to as I find it a little too salty.
I found this dish quite tasty, I love the smell of garlic, and you can really taste the garlic in the food, the black pepper added a bit of spice to it as well. It was a delicious Northern treat, my kids loved it.
What do you think? What is your favourite Northern dish? Drop me a comment, let’s chat.
*This is a collaborative post.
