A Load of Veggies

Over the past few months, I've been making dinner for my family almost 4 times a week, apart from this I also make myself lunch on a regular basis. So inbetween all the things I get upto on a daily basis I need an easy way to consume as many vegetables as possible. Now this meal, and I say meal because it's heavy makes a good - hearty lunch. But I prefer it for dinner.

A few years ago, while watching (ogling) Jamie Oliver's show, I came across "bubble and squeak", basically, its a bunch of vegetables, boiled and then cooked in a bit of olive oil (and butter, if you're feelin' adventurous) until it browns nicely. Ever since, it has made it to my dinner menu atleast once a week. 

Thats the main attraction really, the rest are just supporting characters that add nutrition, flavour and texture. 

For 2 people - Bubble and Squeak - The Cast

1 medium sized potato

1 large carrot.

1/2 a small cauliflower

1/2 a small brocolli

8-12 brussel sprouts. 

1/4th pumpkin

1/2 a small cabbage

(Now, you don't have to use ALL of these, you could go with anything you have lying around your fridge...)

Boil the veggies in a pressure cooker till they're breaking apart... and mash them (in the original, its mashed on the stove top, however, I find mashing it before just helps cook it faster), add salt and pepper to taste. Now, heat a nonstick pan and drizzle a few tablespoons of olive oil and let it heat (you can add butter at this point if you'd like). Get all the mashed veggies into the pan, and spread it out in an even layer. 

While this is cooking, blach your spinach, drizzle it with olive oil and a good amount of paprika. 

It's time to trun the bubble and squeak.. that noise you're hearing? Thats where this dish gets its name.. the point is.. you need to cook your veg on all sides, not just the stop and bottom, so keep turning it.. till most of the surface is a warm brown. When this is done, take it out. In the meanwhile, get your toaster on, throw in a couple of slices of Multi grain bread - because its delicious and crunchy. You can also boil an egg if you want. I personally love my eggs soft boiled with a runny yoke, so I wait for the water to boil, take it off the heat and put the egg in for 6 minutes.

After your bubble and squeak is out, crank up the heat to high. Add a tiny bit of oil, salt, pepper and mashed garlic. When its really really hot, cut a tomato in half, place it in the hot pan and shut the lid. leave it there for a good 2-3 minutes. When you remove the lid, the tomatoes should've charred and cooked.

Now plate up, and dig in!

Fast, easy, and most importantly tasty.

Oh, lets not forget super healthy! Bon appetite!