Bubble and Squeak

We're celebrating A.'s birthday today, and according to family tradition she gets to pick what we have for dinner. She asked for bubble and squeak. It's usually something we eat in the fall and winter, since it's very filling and warm. But she wants it, so it's in the oven right now.

Here's the recipe, adapted from an old British recipe my mother got somewhere. (The original called for things like "a knob of butter.") It really does bubble in the oven, and even squeaks under the right conditions!

Bubble and Squeak
1 1/2 to 2 1/2 pounds potatoes, peeled (or unpeeled if you like the skins)
A little milk, if desired
2 to 4 tablespoons butter
1 pound green cabbage, chopped
1 small onion, chopped
Salt and pepper to taste
Cheddar cheese, grated

Chop potatoes and steam until soft. Drain; cream with milk and butter. Plunge cabbage into boiling salted water. Cook 5 minutes; drain. Combine potato, cabbage and onion and season to taste. Spoon into greased baking dish. Top with cheese. Cook 30 minutes at 375 degrees.

I tweak the recipe a little: I cook the onion with the cabbage because my kids prefer no hint of crunch in their onions, and I usually mix some cheddar cheese into the potato mixture, then put a little on the top too.

And I love the direction "Plunge cabbage into boiling salted water." It makes cooking sound so exciting!