Bubble and Squeak - what's your secret?

[aisle23]

I have cooked this on countless occasions in my adult life, but I don't think I have ever managed once to do what my mother must be able to do, which is turn over an entire pan full of bubble and squeak over for cooking on the other side without it breaking

Comments

[bridiep]

I seem to recall my mother frying it up in a big tasty mush, like scrambled egg or corned beef hash. If I wanted to do it in one opiece, I think I'd go for the plate option - flip it over onto the plate, then slide it back into the pan.

[aisle23]

This flipping method was what I have always attempted to do, but found that it was harder than I imagined to keep it whole firstly when trying to flip it onto a plate, and then slide it into another pan with the undercooked side down. If it survived the flipping then the slide to the pan did for it!

However, I had a 'road to Damascus' style revelation after posting this, whereby I slid the patty onto the plate and the put the pan over it upside down and then flipped the whole lot over.

Success!

[bridiep]

Or, indeed, do little, burger-sized indiviual patties, and turn them over with a fish slice?

[aisle23]

I always think of that at the moment of turning the mash mix out into the pan!
Sadly never before...

[roaster]

well personally using an egg to bind it all together makes it obviously easier to handle, but I always find cok one side properly then it doesnt matter about breaking in when you turn it over get that side cooked properly. Its fine.. of course using a big fish slice you can turn it over in sections and then mush it together... you can't see the joins..

[aisle23]

Yeah, it's the scrambled approach that Bridie mentions. It often turns out that way, and while I love all bubble and squeak, I particularly love the crusty bits best.
I want an expanding fish slice - one that goes in (and under) thin, but then expands into a fan of support and security.
Or someone else to cook it for me...

[serpentstar]

Look, you're a fucking DISCORDIAN. No offence. Just don't expect to EVER be able to do complex cookery-chemistry-gubbins without Eris pissing all over your chips. No, not that Eris. The really big scary Eris.

[aisle23]

It's bubble and squeak, not chips (duh)