Cannabis-Infused "Boxty" St. Patrick's Day Classic with Infused Irish Butter & Smoked Salmon Cream
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Time to read 6 min
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Time to read 6 min
Cannabis-Infused "Boxty" St. Patrick's Day Classic with Infused Irish Butter & Smoked Salmon Cream
A Note on Dosing: This recipe makes 4 large boxty pancakes (serving 2 people). We calculate based on a 15% THC flower. You must calculate your own dose based on your cannabis potency. This is a macro dose for experienced consumers. Know your tolerance. Start with one boxty and wait 90 minutes.
Approximate Dose (using 2g of 15% THC flower): ~75mg THC total (split between Irish butter and smoked salmon cream). ~18-19mg per boxty depending on how much butter and cream you use. Adjust your cannabis amount to 0.5g for a more moderate 4-5mg per boxty, 1g for ~9mg, or 1.5g for ~13-14mg.
Terpene Pairing Suggestion: Choose a Limonene and Myrcene-dominant strain. Limonene's bright citrus will complement the smoked salmon and fresh dill, while Myrcene's earthy notes will round out the buttery potato pancake and tangy cream. This combination creates an uplifting yet grounded experience that honors this beloved Irish potato bread .
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The Boxty Story
Boxty (from the Irish arán bocht tí, meaning "poor house bread") is a traditional Irish potato pancake that has been cherished for generations . The old Irish rhyme says it best:
"Boxty on the griddle, boxty in the pan,
If you can't make boxty, you'll never get a man!"
This beloved dish comes in many forms—boxty bread, boxty dumplings, and the most common version: boxty pancakes . The basic recipe combines grated raw potatoes with mashed potatoes, flour, baking soda, and buttermilk, creating a pancake that's crispy on the outside and tender on the inside .
Traditionally eaten at Halloween and on special occasions, boxty has become a year-round favorite in Irish pubs and homes . It's incredibly versatile—served as a side with breakfast, as a base for smoked salmon, or simply slathered with butter .
This version elevates the classic with cannabis-infused Irish butter melted into the hot boxty and a luxurious smoked salmon cream infused with cannabis for the ultimate St. Patrick's Day indulgence .
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Step 1: The Cannabis-Infused Irish Butter
Ingredients:
· 1 gram cannabis flower (Limonene/Myrcene dominant)
· 1/2 cup (1 stick) Irish butter (Kerrygold recommended)
· Pinch of sea salt
Decarboxylation Method (for both infusions):
1. Preheat oven to 225°F (107°C).
2. Finely grind both cannabis amounts (1g for butter, 1g for smoked salmon cream) separately and spread on parchment-lined baking sheet.
3. Bake for 35-40 minutes until lightly browned and fragrant. Cool completely.
Infusion Method:
1. In a small saucepan, melt the butter over the lowest possible heat.
2. Add the decarboxylated cannabis (1g). Steep for 2 hours, maintaining temperature below 180°F (82°C). Do not simmer.
3. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve lined with cheesecloth into a glass jar or ramekin. Press gently. Discard solids.
4. Stir in a pinch of sea salt.
5. Refrigerate until solid. This is your Cannabis-Infused Irish Butter. It will keep refrigerated for up to 2 weeks.
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Step 2: The Cannabis-Infused Smoked Salmon Cream
Ingredients:
· 1 gram cannabis flower (for the smoked salmon cream)
· 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
· 1/2 cup sour cream
· 2 ounces smoked salmon, finely chopped
· 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
· 1 tablespoon fresh chives, chopped
· 1 teaspoon lemon zest
· 1 tablespoon lemon juice
· 1/2 teaspoon horseradish (optional, for kick)
· Salt and white pepper to taste
Infusion Method (No-Heat Emulsion):
1. In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese and sour cream. Beat until smooth and creamy .
2. Finely grind the decarboxylated cannabis (1g) into a fine powder using a clean coffee grinder or mortar and pestle.
3. Add the powdered cannabis to the cream cheese mixture. Beat vigorously for 3-5 minutes until fully incorporated and no green streaks remain .
4. Fold in the chopped smoked salmon, dill, chives, lemon zest, lemon juice, and horseradish (if using).
5. Season with salt and white pepper to taste.
6. Transfer to a jar and refrigerate for at least 2 hours to allow flavors to meld .
7. This is your Cannabis-Infused Smoked Salmon Cream. It will keep refrigerated for up to 5 days.
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Step 3: The Boxty Assembly
For the Boxty Pancakes:
· 1 cup raw potatoes, peeled and finely grated (about 1 large potato)
· 1 cup mashed potatoes (leftover or freshly made, cooled)
· 1 cup all-purpose flour
· 1 teaspoon baking soda
· 1 teaspoon salt
· 1 cup buttermilk
· 1 large egg, lightly beaten
· 2 tablespoons of your Cannabis-Infused Irish Butter, melted (for the batter)
· Additional Cannabis-Infused Irish Butter, for frying and serving
For Serving:
· Your Cannabis-Infused Smoked Salmon Cream
· Fresh dill sprigs
· Capers (optional)
· Lemon wedges
· Fresh watercress or arugula
Equipment:
· Box grater or food processor with grating disk
· Large mixing bowl
· Clean kitchen towel or cheesecloth
· Large non-stick skillet or griddle
· Spatula
Method:
1. Prepare the Raw Potatoes:
· Peel and finely grate the raw potato using a box grater or food processor .
· Place the grated potato in a clean kitchen towel and squeeze firmly to remove as much liquid as possible . This is crucial for crispy boxty .
· The potato starch will settle at the bottom of the liquid—save it! Pour off the liquid and add the starch back to the grated potatoes .
2. Make the Boxty Batter:
· In a large bowl, combine the squeezed raw potatoes, mashed potatoes, flour, baking soda, and salt. Mix well .
· In a separate bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, beaten egg, and 2 tablespoons of melted Cannabis-Infused Irish Butter .
· Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Do not overmix—a few lumps are okay .
3. Cook the Boxty:
· Heat a large non-stick skillet or griddle over medium heat. Add a generous pat of Cannabis-Infused Irish Butter and let it melt and sizzle .
· For each boxty, pour about 1/3 cup of batter onto the skillet and spread gently into a round about 1/4-inch thick .
· Cook for 3-4 minutes per side, until golden brown and crispy on the edges . Flip carefully—they're delicate .
· Transfer to a warm plate and keep warm while cooking remaining boxty. Add more butter to the pan between batches .
4. Serve:
· Place two warm boxty pancakes on each plate.
· Top with generous dollops of Cannabis-Infused Smoked Salmon Cream .
· Garnish with fresh dill sprigs, capers, and a scattering of watercress .
· Serve with lemon wedges and extra Cannabis-Infused Irish Butter on the side .
· For the full Irish breakfast experience, serve with a side of crispy bacon or grilled tomatoes .
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Traditional Boxty Variations
Boxty is incredibly versatile and appears in many forms across Ireland :
Boxty Bread:
· The same batter baked in a loaf pan, then sliced and fried in butter
Boxty Dumplings:
· Small dumplings dropped into soups or stews
Boxty on the Pan:
· The pancake version—the most common today
Boxty in the Oven:
· Baked in a dish, sometimes with cheese and bacon
Limerick Boxty:
· A regional version with added scallions and parsley
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The Boxty Rhyme
The old Irish rhyme continues:
"Boxty bread, boxty cake,
If you can't make boxty, you'll never get a break!"
This playful rhyme reflects how deeply embedded boxty is in Irish food culture. It was said that a woman's cooking skills—especially her ability to make good boxty—could determine her marriage prospects . Today, it's just a beloved tradition .
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Pro Tips for Perfect Boxty
Squeeze the Potatoes:
Removing excess liquid from the raw potatoes is essential for crispy boxty. Don't skip this step .
Save the Starch:
The potato starch that settles at the bottom of the squeezed liquid is gold. Add it back to the batter for better texture .
Don't Overmix:
Like pancakes, boxty batter should be mixed until just combined. Overmixing develops gluten and makes them tough .
Medium Heat is Key:
Cook boxty over medium heat, not high. This ensures they cook through without burning .
Serve Immediately:
Boxty are best straight from the pan. If you must keep them warm, place them on a rack in a low oven to stay crisp .
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Safety, Dosing & Storage
CRITICAL NOTES:
⚠️ MACRO DOSE WARNING: This recipe as written contains approximately 75mg THC total (split between Irish butter and smoked salmon cream). At 4 boxty, that's ~18-19mg per boxty if you use all the infused ingredients evenly. This is a potent dose intended for experienced consumers.
⚠️ DOUBLE INFUSION: Both the butter and the salmon cream are infused. Every bite contains cannabis.
⚠️ REDUCE YOUR CANNABIS: For a more reasonable experience, use 0.5g total (4-5mg per boxty), 1g total (9mg per boxty), or 1.5g total (13-14mg per boxty).
⚠️ LABEL LEFTOVERS: Mark any leftover butter and salmon cream "CANNABIS-INFUSED - HIGH DOSE."
⚠️ DO NOT DRIVE. You'll be saying "arán bocht tí" from your couch .
Storage:
· Infused Irish butter: Refrigerate up to 2 weeks
· Infused smoked salmon cream: Refrigerate up to 5 days
· Leftover boxty: Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 2 days
· Reheat boxty in a dry skillet over medium heat to restore crispiness