Irish Mashed Potatoes - onions

Method

• Heat 1/2 the butter and one tablespoon of the cooking oil in a frying pan over a high heat.
• When the butter starts to bubble, add in the onions and cook, stirring constantly, for five minutes or until the onions start to wilt.
• Turn the heat down very low and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are evenly browned and wilted, but not crisp.
• In Ireland, potatoes are always boiled in their skins, drained and then left in the hot pan for the skins to dry and crack before they are peeled and mashed.
• If you like, though, you can also peel the potatoes beforehand, wash the starch off, then boil in salted water until tender.
• Drain and mash.
• Meanwhile, trim and slice the spring onions, including all the dark green bits.
• Place in a pan with the milk and simmer until tender.
• Tip the milk and onion and 25g of butter into the mash and beat with a wooden spoon until light and fluffy.
• Season with salt and pepper.
• Melt the remaining butter.
• Serve the mash in a mound on each plate, making a well in the centre of each mound to fill with the remaining melted butter.
• Top with the onions.
• Serve immediately and encourage your diners to dip their spoonfuls of mashed potato into the pools of butter.