Bubble & Squeak

Bubble & Squeak is a British dish that came about in the early 1800’s, and often makes an appearance in a traditional full English breakfast. The idea is to make it from the leftover vegetables from a Sunday roast beef dinner. It can be as simple as the combination of mashed roasted potatoes and cabbage, however any other leftover vegetables such as carrots, Brussels sprouts, turnips, peas, etc. can be added in as well. The ingredients are all fried together, and often accompanied by bacon.  The name bubble & squeak comes from the sound that the cabbage makes while boiling.
I don’t know if it’s my British heritage, or the fact that all of the ingredients often make an appearance separately on my dinner plate, but when I was first introduced to the idea of bubble &  squeak, it sounded quite appealing to me. One of my favourite comfort foods, especially when I’m not feeling very well, has always been a simple meal of mashed potatoes and toast, and I really love grilled cabbage. In our house we often have a traditional roast beef dinner on weekends, so incorporating the leftovers for breakfast generally happens anyway – who knew we were eating a traditional English breakfast the entire time?
If you don’t have leftovers from a roast beef dinner, you can easily make this recipe by boiling up some potatoes and cabbage, frying up some bacon, and mixing it all together. With a good dose of 3 main food groups all in one dish, Bubble & Squeak can be an entire meal all on it’s own!

Ingredients - 2 tbsp butter - 1 lb leftover roasted potatoes, mashed (or mashed potatoes) - 1 lb leftover cooked cabbage or Brussels sprouts, finely chopped - 1 lb bacon, fried & diced - salt & pepper, to taste Directions
Combine cooked bacon, potatoes, and cabbage. Add salt & pepper to taste.
Melt butter in a large frying pan. Once heated, fry potato mixture for about 10 minutes, until heated throughout and a thin, crispy crust starts to form.
Serve alongside a traditional English breakfast, with your favourite breakfast items, or simply with toast to accompany.