Rumbledethumps is the Scottish variation of the classic English dish called 'Bubble & Squeak' or the Irish 'Colcannon'.  It is a very easy dish to make and is usually served as an accompaniment  to meat as opposed to it being served alone.  There are several variations of the recipe that I offer below in that swede, crispy bacon, spring onions, leeks can be added with a topping of grated nutmeg.

The word 'Rumbledethumps' is derived from the method of mixing the ingredients together, sort of rumbled and thumped about in the pan as its mixed.

INGREDIENTS:
450g/16oz potatoes, roughly diced.
350g/12oz cabbage, finely shredded.
1 large onion, sliced finely.
4 tablespoons butter.
4 tablespoons white cheddar cheese, grated.
seasoning.

METHOD:

1. Preheat the oven to 200°C or 400°F or Gas Mark 6.

2. Quarter each potatoes into rough cubes and boil in a medium sized pan. When the potatoes are soft, drain and place back in the pan.

3. Mash the potatoes evenly, but don't pulverise.

4. Slice up the cabbage and onion.

5. Melt the butter in a frying pan.

6. Add the cabbage and onion to the frying pan and turn over until the butter is evenly coated. Or add your own chopped up swede, spring onions, crispy bacon or leeks at this point.

7. Reduce over for few minutes until the cabbage and onion wilts, but do not brown the vegetables.

8. Add half the cheese and all the potatoes. Stir evenly until the cheese has melted over the ingredients then remove from heat.

9. Season with salt and pepper

10. Place in a serving dish and sprinkle the rest of the cheese over it.

11. Place in the hot oven and bake until the cheese has melted into a golden brown top.

12. Lightly sprinkle grated nutmeg on the top if you wish to add an extra taste to your dish.

13. Serve straight away.
In January 2009, The British prime Minister Mr. Gordon Brown submitted a recipe for Rumbledethumps to a fund raising cookbook in aid of Donaldson's special School for the Deaf in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Gordon described the dish as one of his all time favorites but sceptics believed it to be a clever recession strategy to enthuse poorer families to cook the dish, as it is very inexpensive to make.

If you have never tried Rumbledethumps then gather in the ingredients and cook it up yourself, you may be in for a pleasant surprise !

Enjoy your Rumbledethumps !

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