Bubble and squeak is the perfect way to ensure no food is wasted, simply store any uneaten vegetables overnight ready to be used the next day.
If you don’t have any leftovers but want to enjoy some bubble and squeak you can always cook some vegetables and then mash them straight away before following the steps for making this dish.
What Is Bubble and Squeak?
Bubble and squeak is a traditional British dish made primarily of leftover vegetables, typically mashed potatoes and cabbage, but you can include anything from a roast or Christmas dinner.
Bubble and squeak dates back to the 18th century named because it makes a ‘bubbling and squeaking’ sound as it cooks.
Despite its simple ingredients, bubble and squeak is very tasty, and it’s a great way to use up leftovers.
Bubble and squeak can be served as a side dish, or even served for breakfast or as a main meal.
How To Make Bubble and Squeak
The first step in making bubble and squeak is gathering all of your leftover vegetables.
This could include;
- Mashed, roasted or boiled potatoes
- Cooked cabbage, sprouts, broccoli or greens
- Cooked carrots
- Cooked parsnips
If you have any bacon or leftover gammon hanging about, you can also chop this up and include it.
Aim for a very rough ratio of 2:1 potatoes vs vegetables.
Chop everything up and mash it together. You can use a tablespoon or two of mayonnaise or a beaten egg to bind everything together if needed.
Heat some oil or butter in a frying pan and transfer the mashed ingredients. Pat everything down flat with a spatula and leave to cook for about 5 minutes. Flip it over and fry for another 5 minutes on the other side, or until it has crisped up. If it breaks up when you flip it over, simply pat it back together.
I prefer to create smaller ‘patties’ from the bubble and squeak mixture and cook them individually – it’s easier to flip them over and fry on both sides this way.
Optional Extras
Depending on how you cooked the vegetables originally, you could also add in some dried or fresh herbs; depending on how you cooked the vegetables originally – if they were already cooked with herbs, you might not want to add any extra. You could even turn it into a curried bubble and squeak by mixing in some curry powder.
Bubble and Squeak
Bubble and squeak is the perfect way to use up leftover ingredients from a Sunday Roast or Christmas Dinner. Simple yet delicious.
Ingredients
- 1kg potatoes
- 500g - 600g vegetables
- 1 egg or 2 tbsp mayonnaise (optional)
- Seasoning
- Oil for frying
Instructions
- If the vegetables haven't already been cooked, boil them until soft - the potatoes will take about 15 minutes and the other vegetables about 3 - 10 minutes, depending on what vegetables you are including.
- Chop the cooked vegetables up small and mash together until well combined. If the mixture is too dry and the ingredients aren't combining together, stir in 1 beaten egg or 2 tbsp mayonnaise.
- Divide the bubble and squeak mixture up into smaller patties/cakes.
- Heat some oil in a shallow pan and fry the patties on each side for about 2 to 3 minutes on each side, using a spatula to flip them over.
Notes
Vegetables
The above measurements are approximated, use the quantities you have available. Aim for a rough ratio of 2:1.
Use whatever leftover vegetables you have available. Some ideas include;
Brussel sprouts, broccoli, greens, carrots, parsnips, potatoes.
Seasoning
If the vegetables have already been seasoned during the cooking process you might not want to add any more. If you want to add some you can include salt, pepper, mixed dried herbs - or make it a curried bubble and squeak and add 1 tsp of curry powder.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 213Total Fat: 5gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 25mgSodium: 117mgCarbohydrates: 36gFiber: 6gSugar: 4gProtein: 6g