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As we were eating aloo methi again last week, we remarked on how similar it really is to bubbly squeak.

To what?? No, you read it right the first time: Bubbly squeak.

We first saw bubbly squeak made some time ago on the television program The Two Fat Ladies. I remember that we made it very shortly after seeing the program. We loved it and had it often that winter. But, inexplicably, this winter, we had completely forgotten about this wonderful dish. Silly us!

So on the weekend, we made it from our memory to have with steamed green beans, roast chicken and gravy. And our memories being what they are, we called it the wrong thing… it is really called Bubble and Squeak. Supposedly because it bubbles and squeaks as it cooks.

Here is what we did:

Bubbly Squeak aka Bubble and Squeak

• 4 large Yukon Gold potatoes, unpeeled
• good shot of kale (or rapini, mustard greens, etc.)
• ¼ c vegetable oil (safflower, sunflower, canola,…)
• 1 Tbsp brown mustard seeds
• ½ Tbsp nigella seeds (optional)
• 1 medium onion, roughly chopped
• 1 inch ginger, minced
• salt, to taste
• pepper, to taste

Preparation

1. Wash potatoes well and place in a pot with cold salted water. Bring to a boil and cover. Cook potatoes until they are almost done – they should still be a bit firm. Roughly mash using a table knife. There should be lots of lumps.
2. Wash greens well. Set aside.
3. Heat oil in a cast iron skillet over medium heat. Add mustard seeds and when they have popped, add nigella seeds * (aka kalonji – available wherever Indian spices are sold)
4. Add onion and ginger and cook until the onion begins to caramelize.
5. Chop the greens and throw them into the pan. Add salt. Stirring constantly, cook til greens are wilted.
6. Add potatoes and toss with greens and onions to mix. Then leave to continue cooking, turning every 5 minutes to scrape off browned bits. Continue until the amount of browned potato is satisfactory (about 15 minutes or so)
7. Salt and pepper to taste.

Serve with roasted or grilled meat.

(Here is the Two Fat Ladies’ recipe for Bubble and Squeak.)

I must say that there wasn’t a whole lot of squeaking going on when we cooked it the other day (although T kept saying he could hear it squeaking). But that doesn’t mean it wasn’t a success. It was decidedly successful. So successful that I want to have it again soon.