Bubble and Squeak is a traditional Irish Dish made from cooked potatoes and cabbage. In this version I add bacon (can substitute ham or corned beef) and leeks and garlic for lots of flavor!
Ireland is one of the most beautiful places on this earth! Greenery everywhere and rolling hills. The stormy sea and ocean walks are everything! But my favorite thing about Ireland is the people! They are the happiest people! They sing and dance and laugh and laugh and laugh! I just love it! Don’t we all just love happy people?!?
I have Irish ancestry on both my mom and my dads side. My moms mother was born and raised in Northern Ireland. And she is truly the salt of the earth. Just the kindest soul you have ever met. And her accent is the cutest! My mom was born in London, England but spent some of her younger years growing up in Ireland. The stories she tells about fairies and leprechauns are absolute fairy tales! She had the most magical childhood!
Food in Ireland is very simple and from the land. The climate is perfect for growing potatoes, cabbage, root vegetables, apples, and berries. My mom used to pick blackberries from the brambles by the bucketful!
This recipe highlights just how simple Irish food is but you’ll also notice how incredibly delicious it is. The base of leeks and garlic is so aromatic. Now add the bacon (plus bacon fat) and you’ve got such a flavorful dish!
Recipe:
1 leek, cleaned and sliced
2 cloves of garlic chopped
6-8 oz (5-6 strips) of uncured bacon chopped into 1 inch pieces
2 pounds of Yukon gold potatoes (4-5 large potatoes), par boiled and diced into 1 inch cubes
1/2 a head of cabbage chopped
Salt and pepper to taste
In a large pot, add 4 cups of water and bring to a boil. Wash potatoes and cut in half lengthwise. Add potatoes to the water and reduce to medium heat. Par boil the potatoes for 10 minutes. Once the potatoes have boiled for 10 minutes, pour them into a colander and run cold water over them.
In a large and hot cast iron skillet or frying pan, add the chopped bacon. Allow it to cook over medium heat until fully cooked through. While it’s cooking, add the leek and garlic. Allow the leek and garlic to begin sautéing in the bacon fat.
Dice the par boiled and cooled potatoes into cubes and add to the skillet. Mix well and let them begin to brown. After 2-3 minutes add the chopped cabbage and salt and pepper to taste. Mix well and let it cook together for another few minutes.
Remove from heat and serve. This recipes yields 4 servings.
