Bubble and Squeak

Bubble and squeak is a classic British recipe that should be in everyone’s top ten list on how to use up roast dinner leftovers.

Ultimately, Bubble and Squeak is just left over potatoes (usually roast potatoes) and vegetables mashed together and then fried.

The combination and frying creates a delicious and somewhat unique flavour that goes with so many other foods.

Bubble and Squeak can be served up as part of a fancy restaurant starter, a breakfast fry up, a tasty lunch or a simple dinner.

In this article we show you exactly how to make the perfect bubble and squeak, the best things to serve it with and answer some more questions about this traditional British dish.

What is Bubble and Squeak

Bubble and Squeak dates from the 18th century and has always been associated with using up leftovers from a roast dinner particularly potatoes and cabbage. Originally, it also included using up the left over meat from the roast but is now very focussed on using up the leftover veggies and it is believed that this shift coincided with World War 2 in Britain when rationing was in force and meat in short supply.

One of the earliest recorded recipes for meat based bubble and squeak was in 1837 in Mary Hollands The complete economical cook, and frugal housewife: an entirely new system, and doesn’t even include potatoes but just a combination of cabbage and thinly sliced boiled beef.

Why is it called Bubble and Squeak

Bubble and Squeak gets its name from the noises it made when cooked in some of the original recipes. The bubbles and the squeaks were caused by the wet and watery vegetables cooking in hot fat. Essentially, the hot fat causes the water to turn to vapour quickly and form air bubbles that burst with a squeak.

Ingredients for Bubble and Squeak

Essentially, all you need for Bubble and Squeak is pre cooked vegetables and potatoes but here is our perfect combination to make great bubble and squeak for 2 to 4 people.

• 5-6 roast potatoes
• 200g of cooked carrots
• 200g of cooked green vegetables e.g. brussel sprouts, broccoli, cabbage
• Salt and Pepper
• Butter
• 1 tablespoon of sunflower or vegetable oil

Directions to make Bubble and Squeak

Bubble and squeak can be made very simply. All you need to do is blend all the ingredients together and then fry until it crispy on the outside and heated through. This simple version will taste very nice But, for perfect bubble and squeak you may want to put a bit more effort in and follow these directions.

1. Place the potatoes into a blender and pulse until coarsely chopped up into pieces that are roughly half a cm in size.
2. Take the potatoes out of a blender and place in a large mixing bowl.
3. Place two thirds of the carrots and green vegetables into the blend and pulse to roughly the same size or a bit smaller than the roast potatoes.
4. Transfer the blended vegetables to the same mixing bowl as the potatoes..
5. Place the remaining veg into the blender and blend for sixty seconds until it is a very fine size and the consistency of a thick paste.
6. Transfer the vegetable paste to the same bowl as the other ingredients.
7. Add a generous pinch of salt and pepper.
8. Mix the ingredients all together.
9. The combination of the larger pieces of potatoes and veg will be beautifully held together by the thick vegetable paste and allow all the flavours to mix well.
10. Place a large non-stick frying pan on the hob and heat on a medium to high heat.
11. Add the oil and butter and allow to warm up.
12. Drop the bubble and squeak mixture into the hot oil and spread it out evenly across the frying pan.
13. Let it cook for a few minutes and then begin to mix and flip over to ensure a crispy crust thoughout.
14. Once the bubble and squeak is nice and hot throughout and has a good crispy coating it can be served.

While we recommend you fry your bubble and squeak you can also cook it in an Air Fryer or in the oven.

Watch us make Bubble and Squeak

In this video we make Bubble and Squeak the quick way by combining all the ingredients in the blender.

Equipment required to make Bubble and Squeak

We recommend the following equipment is used to make Bubble and Squeak.

• Large frying pan
• Blender
• Mixing bowl
• Silicone fish slice
• Wooden spoon

What to serve with Bubble and Squeak

Bubble and Squeak makes a great side dish or accompaniment to many dishes but it goes especially well with pork (roast ham, bacon, pork chop) and a fried egg or two.

It also goes very well with a generous dollop of sweet pickle or chilli jam on the side.

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