Canal Floddies
Introduction
This is a slightly updated version of a dish from the Tyneside town of Gateshead. Traditionally these were made by the men digging the Manchester Ship Canal and fried on their shovels over a fire. Our updated version includes lovage, an old English herb, with a flavour similar to celery. The addition of sun dried tomatoes instead of veggie bacon, give this dish a sweet twist.
Preparation notes
Serves 4
Ingredients
350g potato, peeled
1 medium onion, peeled
10 sun dried tomatoes, finely chopped
2 tbsp young lovage leaves finely chopped, optional
(substitute celery leaves)
25g self-raising flour
1 medium free range egg, beaten
To taste salt and pepper
2 tbsp vegetable oil
Method
- Coarsely grate the potato and squeeze out any liquid and press between kitchen paper.
- Grate the onion and mix with the potato and sun dried tomatoes.
- Place the self-raising flour in a mixing bowl and add the egg. Mix well.
- Add the potato mixture to the flour and egg, season mix well.
- Divide the mixture into 4 and shape into rounds using an 8cm pastry ring.
- Heat the oil in a frying pan and and when hot add the floddies. Reduce heat a little and fry, turning until well browned on both sides. Drain on kitchen paper.
- Place each floddy on a plate and top with a portion of hot mushy peas and a free range poached egg. Garnish with finely chopped lovage.
