Bubble and Squeak (Fried Potato and Cabbage Cakes)
In short: Mashed potato and cabbage fried into crisp, golden cakes. A British way to turn roast dinner leftovers into breakfast or supper. It takes about 1 h 15 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 55 min
- Resting
- 20 min
- Total
- 1 h 15 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 320 kcal
Bubble and squeak is what British cooks make with the vegetables left over from a roast dinner: mashed potato and cabbage or Brussels sprouts, shaped into cakes and fried until crisp and brown on the outside. The name is said to come from the sounds the mixture makes in the pan. It is a classic Boxing Day breakfast with cold turkey, and it works any day of the week with a fried egg on top.
Instructions
- Boil the potatoes in salted water for 15 to 20 minutes until tender. Drain well, let them steam dry for 3 minutes, then mash with 20 g (1 1/2 tbsp) of the butter, leaving a few small lumps.
- Boil the shredded cabbage for 3 to 4 minutes until just tender. Drain, squeeze out as much water as you can in a clean towel, and chop finely.
- Cook the onion in 1 tablespoon of the oil and 10 g (2 tsp) of the butter over medium heat for 5 to 6 minutes until soft. Add the cabbage and cook for 2 minutes.
- Mix the mash, onion and cabbage in a bowl with the mustard, salt and pepper. Shape into 8 patties about 2 cm (3/4 inch) thick and chill for 20 minutes.
- Heat the remaining oil and butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Fry the cakes in batches for 5 to 6 minutes on each side, pressing lightly, until a deep golden crust forms.
- Serve hot with fried eggs, bacon, cold sliced meat, or a spoonful of brown sauce.
Tips
- Squeeze every drop of water from the cabbage and chill the patties before frying, so they hold together without any flour. Resist flipping them early.
- Leftover roast vegetables such as carrots, parsnips and sprouts can go in, chopped small. Cold mashed potato from the day before holds its shape best.
Questions and answers
What is bubble and squeak?
Bubble and squeak is a British dish of fried mashed potato and cooked cabbage or sprouts, usually made from roast dinner leftovers. The name is said to come from the sounds it makes while cooking.
What do you serve with bubble and squeak?
Fried eggs, bacon, sausages, cold roast meat or baked beans. It is also a favorite on Boxing Day with cold turkey.
Can I make bubble and squeak ahead of time?
Yes. Shape the cakes up to a day ahead, cover and chill them, then fry just before serving. Uncooked cakes can also be frozen for up to a month.
How long does it take to make Bubble and Squeak (Fried Potato and Cabbage Cakes)?
About 1 h 15 min in total: 20 min of preparation and 55 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Bubble and Squeak (Fried Potato and Cabbage Cakes)?
About 320 kcal per serving, with 6 g of protein, 42 g of carbohydrates and 15 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 320 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 6 g |
| Carbohydrates | 42 g |
| Fat | 15 g |
| Fiber | 5 g |
| Sugar | 5 g |
| Sodium | 630 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
