It's LIKE Bubbles and Squeak, but it's not.

Today I bought the Korean Chili Powder needed to make Kim-Chi.  So now you have something to look forward to. 
The other thing I did today?  I used the other half of the GINORMOUS head of Chinese cabbage to make my version of Bubbles and Squeak.  Bubbles and Squeak is a British dish made with potatoes, cabbage and sometimes other stuff. Mine is more like hash browns with cabbage, and it's pretty easy, as long as you don't skip the squeezing step.  So maybe I should call it Bubbles and Squeeze.


Bubbles and Squeeze

3 cups of grated potatoes. (I've used russets, purple, white and red on various occasions.  Use what you have on hand.)
2 cups shredded (very thinly sliced) cabbage.  (Perfect with Chinese Cabbage)
salt and pepper to taste (and of course, I like to add smoked paprika)
Canola oil

The most important step?  Take the shredded potatoes, place them in the middle of a thin, linen style dishtowel and sprinkle with about 1/2 tsp of salt.  Let it rest for a minute or two, and then, while standing over the sink, gather the ends of the towel with the spuds in the middle, and wring it.  Just squeeze the bejeezus out of those 'taters. All kinds of water will come out - keep squeezing until water stops pouring out. (There will still be some liquid - you're just trying to get the majority out.)

Add the potatoes to a bowl and mix in the cabbage and the seasoning.

While you're squeezing the spuds, preheat a frying pan with some canola oil over medium heat.  Once the pan is hot add the potato and cabbage mixture, and spread evenly over the surface of the pan, and press down.  Now, leave it.  Just let it sit on the heat for about 3-4 minutes.  Then stir, press and leave for another 3 minutes.  Repeat one more time.  After you've let it sit, then stirred, 3 times, flip it.  I know it's really hard to flip the whole thing.  I don't even try.  I take my spatula and flip in sections, then I press it out evenly again, let it sit for another 3 - 4 minutes.  At this point, you should have a giant potato pancake that is crispy on both sides and tender in the middle. 

I've served this any number of ways.  I love it with a poached egg.  I place about 1/4 of the mixture on a plate, use the back side of a spoon to create a little well, then plop an egg on top.  (Even better with hollandaise....)

This afternoon I picked up pork cutlets from Richardson Farms at the Triangle Farmer's Market and served the Bubbles and Squeeze with pork, applesauce and fried green tomatoes (we had green tomatoes in last week's farm share).

You can also add finely diced onions to the mixture, and serve with any number of sausages or sausage like products.  It's also good with cheese melted over the top, and a fried egg, or you know, nothing at all.

Simple food, simple preparation, and a good, new use for an old standard leafy green.  Enjoy!