1. Collect together your equipment (see Recipe Notes below) and ingredients.

How to make Colcannen in the microwave –

1. Heat the potatoes in the microwave, with half the butter, removing to give a good mix every minute, until hot. This could take a few minutes depending on the original temperature of the potatoes.

2. Meanwhile, remove the stalks from the kale. Roughly chop the leaves and cook in salted, boiling water for 2 minutes. Drain immediately and thoroughly.

3. Chop when cool enough.

4. Mix the potatoes, kale and chopped spring onions. Taste and adjust seasoning, if necessary.

5. Add milk or cream if the mixture is a little stiff.

6. Quickly re-heat in the microwave, give it a good stir and ensure it is piping hot. Serve with the remaining butter and some freshly ground black pepper.

How to cook in the oven -

1. Preheat the oven to Fan Oven 180°C/200°C/200°F/Gas6

2. Remove the stalks from the kale. Roughly chop the leaves and cook in salted, boiling water for 2 minutes. Drain immediately.

3. Chop when cool enough.

4. Melt the butter and mix ¾ with the potatoes, kale and chopped spring onions. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.

5. Add milk or cream if the mixture is a little stiff but remember that it will soften further as it cooks.

6. Transfer to a buttered baking dish, roughly level the surface and use a knife to make some swirls in the potato or use a fork instead.

7. Brush with the remaining melted butter and add some freshly ground black pepper

8. Cook in a pre-heated oven until piping hot, around 30 – 45 minutes, depending on the size of the dish and how cold the mixture was when it went into the oven.

9. How to serve: Colcannen is delicious served as a side dish with your choice of accompaniments such as bacon, sausages, roast chicken, pan-fried fish, eggs.