bubble and squeak

an English meal

TRANSLATION

bubble and squeak = ein Pfannengericht aus Gemüse und Kartoffelresten

STATISTICS

IN THE PRESS

"Some Britons are fond of a dish made by mashing and heating the remains of previous meals. This meal, known as BUBBLE AND SQUEAK, is not quite haute cuisine, but it is tasty in parts."

The Economist

Did you
know?

bubble and squeak
noun phrase

- a food made by mixing together and heating cooked potato and cabbage.

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

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WORD ORIGIN

Bubble and squeak is an old English dish named for the sounds the ingredients make while cooking (or from the sound one's stomach makes after eating it).

Some sources say it was originally cold boiled beef and chopped cabbage, others claim it was originally mashed potatoes and cabbage, while some claim it originally contained all three.

In the “Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue” from 1785, the following description refers to how this dish acquired its name:

"Bubble and Squeak, beef and cabbage fried together. It is so called from its bubbling up and squeaking whilst over the fire."

Like most leftover dishes, everyone has their own recipe for bubble and squeak. However, the basic ingredients are leftover potatoes and cabbage or other vegetables such as kale (Grünkohl), Brussel sprouts (Rosenkohl) and peas for instance. The dish may also be referred to as bubble and scrape or fry up.

One can find similar dishes in other countries and regions:

Ireland: colcannon, a traditional Irish and West Scots food made from mashed potatoes, kale, butter, salt, and pepper. It can contain other ingredients such as milk, cream, leeks, onions, chives or garlic.

Netherlands: stamppot boerenkool, made from potatoes and kale mashed together with milk, butter, salt, and pepper, and often served or cooked with a large sausage. A condiment of pickled pearl onions is common.

Northern Germany: Grünkohl und Pinkel

Southern Germany, Tyrol Austria: Gröstl, Bauerngröstl

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SMUGGLE OWAD into a conversation
say something like:

"Hey Edward, how about sausage and sauerkraut as an alternative to BUBBLE AND SQUEAK?"

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