Boxing Day Brunch – Ham and Bubble and Squeak
Boxing Day Brunch – Ham and Bubble and Squeak
(Recipe)
Home-made York Ham
I hope your Christmas day was a wonderful day, filled with good food, wine, friends and family…..as mine was. Today, the 26th December, is Boxing Day in the UK and St Stephen’s Day…….The exact etymology of the term “boxing” is unclear, but it appears to have originated from custom for tradesmen to collect “Christmas boxes” of money or presents on the first weekday after Christmas as thanks for good service throughout the year. This is mentioned in Samuel Pepys’ diary entry for the 19th December 1663. The custom is also linked to an older English tradition: Since they would have to wait on their masters on Christmas Day, the servants of the wealthy were allowed the next day to visit their families. The employers would give each servant a box to take home containing gifts and bonuses, and sometimes leftover food. Boxing day is a day of sales, sport and leftovers……of which the most delicious is Bubble and Squeak, a “fry up” of leftover vegetables from Christmas Day, and usually made from sprouts, potatoes and carrots.
Boxing Day Brunch – Ham and Bubble and Squeak (Recipe)
I am being very brave, I am showing you my “bubble and squeak” frying pan…..it’s old, battered and very much non-stick! It’s the best frying pan for bacon, eggs and all fry ups……and it is absolutely essential that there is a “crust” of fried vegetables left on the base of the pan, for “prising” off the crispy brown bits. I served this Boxing day feast with some slices of home-baked York Ham that I made for our Christmas Eve buffet and a goodly dollop of English mustard.
Boxing Day Brunch – Ham and Bubble and Squeak (Recipe)
Excuse the quality of the photos, but this was very much a cook, serve, shoot and eat kinda brunch…….and then a brisk upload to my laptop to share with you today. It’s also a very naughty recipe for bubble and squeak too, as I added some cubes of cheese from the festive cheeseboard – farmhouse Cheshire and mature Cheddar cheese were dropped in and stirred to a gooey mess for this dish today.
Boxing Day Brunch – Ham and Bubble and Squeak (Recipe)
To call this a recipe is rather grand, as it is more like an assembly job with whatever leftover veggies you may have to hand, but, I have shared my recipe idea below…..just add and adapt to your mood and whatever you have left over. The recipe for my rather special York Ham will follow later, along with some New Year nibbles ideas, more 5:2 diet recipes and some festive photos……That’s it for today, see you later and have a LOVELY Boxing day, Karen
Boxing Day Brunch – Ham and Bubble and Squeak (Recipe)
This amusingly named dish is basically traditional British fried leftovers, and probably enjoyed more than the original vegetables were I think. In fact, I have been known to cook the vegetables in order to make Bubble and Squeak. The name is thought to originate from the noise it makes whilst cooking in the frying pan ~ bubbling and squeaking, whatever the reason, this simple dish is delicious and a wonderful way to “fry up” your leftover spuds and greens. I like to season mine with lots of freshly ground black pepper. This is a traditional post-Christmas breakfast dish ~ but don’t wait until then to make this. Excellent if served as part of an English breakfast with bacon and eggs, or as a light supper dish.
Bubble and Squeak (Traditional British Fried Leftovers)
Print recipe
| Prep time | 10 minutes |
| Cook time | 10 minutes |
| Total time | 20 minutes |
| Dietary | Vegetarian |
| Meal type | Breakfast, Lunch, Side Dish, Snack |
| Misc | Child Friendly, Pre-preparable, Serve Hot |
| Occasion | Christmas, Halloween, Thanksgiving |
| By author | Karen S Burns-Booth |
Ingredients
- Leftover mashed potatoes, boiled potatoes or leftover roast potatoes, diced
- Leftover cooked cabbage or leftover cooked Brussels sprouts, finely chopped
- Butter
- Cooked carrots, diced (optional)
- salt and pepper to taste
Optional
- cubes of cheese
Note
This amusingly named dish is basically traditional British fried leftovers, and probably enjoyed more than the original vegetables were I think. In fact, I have been known to cook the vegetables in order to make Bubble and Squeak. The name is thought to originate from the noise it makes whilst cooking in the frying pan ~ bubbling and squeaking, whatever the reason, this simple dish is delicious and a wonderful way to “fry up” your leftover spuds and greens. I like to season mine with lots of freshly ground black pepper. This is a traditional post-Christmas breakfast dish ~ but don’t wait until then to make this. Excellent if served as part of an English breakfast with bacon and eggs, or as a light supper dish.
Directions
| Step 1 | Mix the cabbage or sprouts with the mashed or diced cooked potatoes (and carrots if using) and season to taste with salt and black pepper. |
| Step 2 | Heat the butter in a large frying pan, add the vegetable and potato mixture. |
| Step 3 | Fry over a medium heat for about 8 to 10 minutes or until it is brown adding cheese if using, until the bubble and squeak sizzles, bubbles and squeaks…..sorry, could not resist that! |
| Step 4 | Serve with eggs and bacon for breakfast, or bread and butter for a light snack or supper dish. This is also wonderful as an accompaniment to stews, pies and casseroles. |
Boxing Day Brunch – Ham and Bubble and Squeak (Recipe)
I am entering this into Kate’s No Waste Food Challenge for December 2012!
Anne says
What a great Boxing Day tradition! Made a very tasty bubble and squeak for brunch today although we had it with crispy back bacon and a fried egg each. Delicious and ‘delovely’!
Karen Booth says
Thanks Anne – I could quite happily eat this with crispy back bacon and eggs too! Karen
Tea in England says
Well I’ve just learned something new because I was told that Bubble & Squeak was [leftover] mash and cabbage, which is what my London mother-in-law sent home with us after yesterday’s Christmas dinner. (I’m American, so what would I know.) Your recipe looks delish.
Karen Booth says
Thanks so much! Bubble and Squeak can be potatoes and cabbage, as well as potatoes with carrots and sprouts and any other available veggies! Karen
Dominic says
oh you and I are just on the same page… i’ve just posted my baked bubble and squeak recipe… I love how chunky and rustic yours looks… and you ham is to die for… very tempting… Merry Chrimbo darling xx
Karen Booth says
We often do this, it’s spooky Dom! I just tried to leave a comment on your post/blog, but keep getting a 404 error message…..those naughty error elves are playing around again! Karen
ashleigh says
sounds fab and looks easy to do x
Karen Booth says
Easy and VERY tasty thanks! Karen
Kathryn says
Ah yes, we had something very similar yesterday. I really think the Boxing Day bubble and squeak is so much more delicious than the food on Christmas day!
Karen Booth says
I agree Kathryn, much tastier than Christmas Day! 🙂 Karen
Kate - Turquoise Lemons says
You really captured the colour of the dish in those photos. I am going to go out and buy extra sprouts now and make this as much as possible. I love a good portion of bubble and squeak. Thank you for entering the No Waste Food Challenge.
Alan C says
This sounds great. Normally, we do a turkey hash on Boxing day to use up some of the leftovers
Hazel Christopher says
This looks so delicious, I’ve never actually made Bubble & Squeak before – might have to try it out this year.
Maya Russell says
You can add chopped bacon and any leftover nuts.
Erica says
Perfect! My boyfriend loves bubble & squeak. Mine is more pop and stop.
oh dear bad joke. But I really will try this one!
Erica xo
Fiona Matters says
This as ever looks lovely. Although I’m not a fan of ham. I always have bubble and squeak after Christmas – we put the stuffing in too. It’s a great idea to have it at other times of year though. Will have to start having cabbage though!
Lisa Williams says
this looks so good thank you once again for the great recipes
Lisa Williams says
such a useful way of using up your left overs !
sophie buckle says
Love this great post x
iain maciver says
love this
ursula hunt says
One of my best meals at christmas is the boxing day fry up 🙂
Paul Scotland says
Great idea and looks really tasty
Samantha R says
looks yummy and so simple
Sharon Hingley says
I look forward to bubble & squeak on Boxing Day as much as my Christmas meal, in fact even my daughter’s friends join us now.
Maya Russell says
I think I sometimes prefer Boxing Day food. Lovely pictures – I look forward to the bubble & squeak!
Maya Russell says
Super easy recipe (what you need on boxing day). Shared with G+.