Make Your Mondays Bubble and Squeak With This Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What does the British term bubble and squeak mean? ›

The origins of the name bubble and squeak are not known, but there is a reference in the "Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue" from 1785: "Bubble and squeak is beef and cabbage fried together. It is so-called from its bubbling up and squeaking while over the fire."

Bubble and squeak is a fried British dish made with potatoes and cabbage. It's quite similar to the Irish colcannon. Bubble and squeak, which often contains meat such as ham or bacon, is traditionally made on Monday with the leftovers from Sunday's dinner or on Boxing Day with leftovers from the Christmas feast.

The dish's name supposedly derives from the noises made when the ingredients are fried. Similar dishes, also based on fried vegetables, include colcannon (Ireland) and rumbledethumps (Scotland).

This traditional hot dish is a great way to use up leftover vegetables, but use the minimum amount of oil when frying to keep the fat content down. What makes a healthy, balanced diet?

In co*ckney rhyming slang the phrase was formerly used for "beak" (magistrate) and more recently "Bubble" has been used for "Greek". The term has been borrowed by authors of children's books as names for a pair of puppies and (by two different authors) pairs of mice.

Bubble and Squeak is a tasty British hash made from potatoes and cabbage similar to colcannon, named for the noise it made while cooking.

Colcannon is mashed potatoes and chopped cabbage and usually chopped ham or bacon. Bubble and squeak is mashed leftover potatoes and chopped cabbage mixed up and fried as single round cake, and then sliced and served usually at breakfast.

A great leftover recipe that can be made with any vegetable leftovers. Serve with a poached, fried or scrambled egg and crispy bacon or with poached smoked haddock fillets or grilled trout. Pop them in the freezer at the end of step 4 for a delicious snack on another day.

chatter, small talk [bubble (and squeak) v.].

The first recorded mention of the dish can be found in the 1806 cookbook, "A New System of Domestic Cookery," by Maria Eliza Rundell. Her exceedingly simple recipe includes only five ingredients (beef, cabbage, salt, pepper, and butter) and no measurements.

What is it called to cook food in water that is hot but not bubbling? ›

Poaching. Partially or fully submerging food into water or another liquid that has reached 160 to 180 degrees F is called poaching. Water at this temperature is hotter than scalding but is not vigorously bubbling like boiling water. This allows for delicate foods to be cooked without being disrupted or damaged.

Traditional British dishes include full breakfast, roast dinner, fish and chips, toad in the hole and shepherd's pie. Traditional desserts include trifle, scones, apple pie, sticky toffee pudding and Victoria sponge cake. Cheddar cheese originated in the village of Cheddar in Somerset.

Bubble and Squeak dates back to the 18th century in England and is probably the most famous dish for being made out of leftovers. It started out with cooked beef in its ingredients, but during Second World War rationing it became more common to just have the mashed vegetables.

Storing leftovers - Transfer leftovers to an airtight container, or once cool, cover the dish you baked it in with cling-wrap. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Cooks tips

Yes, bubble and squeak can be frozen.

chatter, small talk [bubble (and squeak) v.].

6. Bubble Bath = Laugh. “£50? You're having a bubble.” This is one of the most common phrases, and it's spoken across the UK.

In the co*ckney cafés they call this 'bubble', and serve it alongside eggs for breakfast. Because it often sits in the pan for ages getting dark and crispy, it tends to take on a fairly dark grey and rather ugly colour, but ironically, those are often the tastiest bubble and squeaks of all. ”

It's slang for twice the normal rate. Someone working over on a Sunday and being paid 2 x their normal salary, might refer to it as double bubble. Commonplace term in the British building trade.