Clapshot (potato & rutabaga mash)

Clapshot is a conventional Scottish facet dish combining potatoes, “neeps” (rutabaga) and chives. It’s straightforward to make in a single pot and ideal with haggis, mince and plenty of extra mains.

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Mashed greens, specifically potatoes, are one of many easiest sides but additionally one that may be tough. It could be all too straightforward for them to be a gummy, soupy, dry or missing taste. I’ll admit, mashed potatoes should not typically certainly one of my favorites and my children appear to take after me, if no more so – they beautiful a lot reject them.

That mentioned, I can hardly think about having fun with haggis with out “neeps and tatties” (mashed rutabaga (additionally known as swede or turnip relying the place you’re) and mashed potato). If you’re in Orkney, you’d take pleasure in this dish that mixes the 2 right into a tasty but easy facet.

Origins of clapshot

As with many dishes, the precise origins of clapshot should not actually recognized. The identify is from Orkney, islands off the Northeast coast, and it is a well-loved dish there. The dish is believed to originate there, then unfold throughout the Highlands.

The identify is probably going from the noise of the masher towards the pot as you mash the greens, however that too is just not recognized for certain. But the dish itself is constant in a brief record of elements – potato, rutabaga (turnip in Scotland, Swede in England), butter and chives. It’s easy however a stunning combine.

Both potato and rutabaga are widespread elements in Scotland. Only so many crops deal with the usually unforgiving climate, however they each do effectively. Rutabaga is a kind of greens that is a bit under-loved, however it’s value making use of. It has a stunning barely candy taste and makes a easy mashed potato that bit extra flavorful.

Tips for making this mash

This is a straightforward dish with just a few elements, however it’s value conserving a pair issues in thoughts to assist it end up effectively:

• Use a floury potatocomparable to Maris Piper within the UK, Russet within the US. This will hold the moisture degree down to assist stop it changing into gummy and provides a greater texture. These two varieties even have a superb taste, too.
• Don’t over-cook the greens – you need them tender however not waterlogged so you’ll want to verify recurrently as they get shut.
• Mash the greens whereas nonetheless heat, within the pot/pan you cooked them in – you need the warmth of the greens, and pot/pan, to assist evaporate extra moisture and soften the butter. Also, much less washing up as a bonus!
• Don’t over-mash (just a few lumps are high-quality!) – that is much less about getting a super-smooth mash, however extra of a textured combine. Realistically, rutabaga/swede would not actually go that {smooth}. Instead, you’ll seemingly have smooth potato and barely chunky rutabaga. But collectively they make a stunning mixture of flavors and the textures work effectively, too.

The entire factor comes collectively fairly rapidly, making it an amazing on a regular basis facet dish. It goes with a complete vary of essential dishes, too. While it is a regional favourite with haggis, you’d additionally serve it with different on a regular basis mains like mince, sausages and extra.

Clapshot might look like an uncommon identify for a dish, however it’s a stunning easy and attractive facet. There’s that bit extra to it that plain outdated mash, however it’s simply as straightforward and versatile. So you’ll want to add it to your desk quickly.

Try these different straightforward, tasty sides:

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