Hylander’s Loaded Baked Potato Boxtys

Well folks, this is the final Florida entry til next year. Sadly, Summer is over and Fall is on the horizon. Football is in the air and the biggest party of the year begins: Tailgating!

McGuires Irish Pub
McGuires Irish Pub

Much like tailgating, McGuire’s Pub in Pensacola, Florida is grounds for good food, stout beer, and a little fun and debauchery. Described as “a turn of the century New York Irish saloon,” McGuires offers up live Irish ballads and drinking songs, an award winning steak, beer brewed “in house,” and tradition.

Enjoy an Irish Wake or "In House" Brew
Enjoy an Irish Wake or “In House” Brew

Simply by walking in the entrance, you will notice signed dollar bills all over the walls. Visitors can make their mark by simply tacking a dollar to the wall and signing it. The waiters and waitresses carry pens and markers for this very reason. For those who walk on the wild side, you can participate in random acts such as “Kiss the Moose” or simply sing along with JJ, “The Balladeer.” While my husband was catching up with a fellow Ole Miss ROTC alumni, Elton Herrick, I was enjoying songs such as, “Danny Boy,” “Mull of Kyntyre,” and even “What Do You Do With A Drunken Sailor?” and “I Would Walk 500 Miles.” Elton and I ordered the McGuire’s Beer Special, a golden IPA. My husband ordered an Irish Coffee and Boxtys.

JJ Sings a Lovely Ballad
JJ Sings a Lovely Ballad

 

As we each tried an Irish Boxty, also known as an Irish potato pancake,  Elton said, ” You know what would make these EVEN better? Cheese!” Chris and I discussed this further and by the end of the night, we had created our own Irish tradition and Boxty recipe, Hylander’s Loaded Baked Potato Boxtys. This recipe, inspired by McGuire’s Pub and our Irish heritage, is a great starter to get your team ready to cheer for the next touchdown!

 

Chris (left) and Elton (right) are up to no good!
Chris (left) and Elton (right) are up to no good!
Hylander’s Loaded Baked Potato Boxtys

 

Hylander's Loaded Baked Potato Boxtys
Hylander’s Loaded Baked Potato Boxtys

An old Irish favorite, “Boxty on the griddle, boxty in the pan; if you can’t make a boxty, you’ll never get a man.” -McGuires Irish Pub

Ingredients:
10 Russet potatoes, peeled and cut into wedges
1/2 stick butter
1/2 cup milk
8 strips thick cut, wood smoked bacon, fried and cut into small pieces
1 cup cheddar jack cheese
1/4 cup freshly sliced green onion
3 eggs, beaten
3 cups Progresso Garlic and Herbs Bread Crumbs
Vegetable Oil

Recommended Fixins
Sour Cream
Ranch Dressing
Salsa
Comeback Sauce
Heinz 57
A1 Steak Sauce
** Anything you would put on your potatoes… you can dip these in!!**

Directions:

 

Mashed Potatoes
Mashed Potatoes

First, we are going to make mashed potatoes from scratch! Simply boil potatoes in a large saucepan or stock pot for about 20 minutes. Once potatoes are soft and easy to mash with a spoon, remove from heat and drain liquid. Transfer potatoes to your mixer. Add butter and cream potatoes and butter together until evenly combined. Add milk and mix until combined. Then, whip potatoes until they are smooth and fluffy. Remove bowl from mixer, cover, cool and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.( I recommend letting the potatoes cool a bit on your counter before placing it in the refrigerator.)

Adding in Bacon Bits and Pieces
Adding in Bacon Bits and Pieces

Now, on to the Boxty making! Uncover mixing bowl of mashed potatoes and add bacon bits and pieces, cheese and green onions. Place under mixer and mix ingredients until combined evenly. Set aside. Pour vegetable oil into a medium skillet and heat on medium settings. (I used enough to fill the pan up to about half an inch to an inch.) While the oil heats up, put eggs in a seperate bowl and breadcrumbs in another seperate bowl. Now, take potato mixture and form spoonfuls to any shape you like (We made footballs for tailgating season!). Dredge each “boxty” through eggs and then breadcrumbs. Place in oil and fry for about a minute to 2 minutes on each side. Drain on paper towels and serve immediately. They can also be refrigerated for up to 3 days and frozen for up to 3 months! Enjoy!

Combining Boxty Ingredients
Combining Boxty Ingredients
Shaping the Boxtys
Shaping the Boxtys
Frying the Boxtys
Frying the Boxtys
Enjoy!
Enjoy!

If you are interested in visiting McGuires Irish Pub and Brewery, please visit their website and facebook page.

If you would like to find out more about JJ, “The Balladeer,” please click here.

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