Toad in the Hole is a traditional British dish that consists of sausages baked in a Yorkshire pudding batter. Despite its peculiar name, Toad in the Hole is a tasty and satisfying meal that can be enjoyed by the whole family. With a few simple ingredients and some basic cooking skills, you can easily master this classic dish.
Ingredients:
– 8 pork sausages
– 200g all-purpose flour
– 3 eggs
– 300ml milk
– 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
– Salt and pepper to taste
Tip: For an extra burst of flavor, you can also add herbs such as thyme or rosemary to the batter.
The first step in making Toad in the Hole is to preheat your oven to 220°C. While the oven is heating up, place the sausages in a baking dish and drizzle them with vegetable oil. This will help them brown and give them a delicious crispy texture.
What is a toad in the hole?
A toad in the hole is a traditional British dish that consists of sausages baked in a Yorkshire pudding batter. The dish gets its name because the sausages peek out of the batter like toads poking their heads out of a hole.
The dish originated in England and has been a popular comfort food for centuries. It is often served with onion gravy and vegetables, making it a hearty and filling meal.
History
The exact origin of the dish is unknown, but it is believed to have been inspired by the older dish called “pudding in the belly,” which was made by placing animal intestines around a savory filling. Over time, the recipe evolved, and the intestines were replaced with a batter made from flour, eggs, and milk.
The dish gained popularity during the 18th century and became a staple in British cuisine. It was seen as an affordable and delicious way to stretch a small amount of meat, making it a popular choice for families during times of economic hardship.
Ingredients and Preparation
To make a traditional toad in the hole, you will need the following ingredients:
Ingredients | Quantity |
---|---|
Pork sausages | 6-8 |
All-purpose flour | 1 cup |
Eggs | 2 |
Milk | 1 cup |
Salt | 1/2 teaspoon |
Vegetable oil or dripping | 2 tablespoons |
To prepare the dish, start by preheating your oven to 425°F (220°C). Place the sausages in a baking dish or a cast-iron skillet and cook them in the oven for about 10 minutes until they start to brown.
In the meantime, prepare the batter by whisking together the flour, eggs, milk, and salt in a bowl until you have a smooth batter. Once the sausages are browned, remove the dish from the oven and pour the batter over the sausages. Return the dish to the oven and bake for another 25-30 minutes until the batter is golden brown and puffed up.
Serve the toad in the hole with onion gravy and your choice of vegetables for a delicious and comforting meal.
History of toad in the hole
Toad in the hole is a traditional British dish that consists of sausages baked in Yorkshire pudding batter. The origin of the name is unclear, but it is believed to have come from the resemblance of the sausages to toads peeking out of holes in the batter.
The dish was first mentioned in a cookbook dating back to the 18th century, although variations of the recipe can be found in even earlier sources. It quickly became popular in Britain, especially among the working class, due to its simplicity and affordability.
In the early days, toad in the hole was mainly made with cheaper cuts of meat, such as sausages or leftover scraps. It was a way for people to make use of ingredients that might otherwise go to waste. As the dish gained popularity, it started to appear in more upscale versions, featuring higher quality sausages and additional ingredients like onions or herbs.
Today, toad in the hole is often served with gravy, mashed potatoes, and vegetables. It is a comforting and filling dish that is enjoyed by people of all ages. Despite its humble origins, it has become a staple of British cuisine and is often enjoyed as a hearty family meal.
Ingredients
Here are the ingredients you will need to cook a delicious toad in the hole:
Sausages
- 6 sausages (traditional pork sausages work best)
Batter
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup milk
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Vegetable Oil
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
Onion Gravy
- 1 onion, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups beef stock
- Salt and pepper to taste
Make sure to gather all the ingredients before you start cooking the toad in the hole. Enjoy!
For the batter:
To make the perfect batter for your toad in the hole, you will need the following ingredients:
Ingredients:
- 150g all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- 300ml milk
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
Here is how you can prepare the batter:
- In a mixing bowl, sift the flour and add the salt and black pepper.
- In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs and gradually add the milk while whisking until smooth.
- Pour the egg and milk mixture into the flour mixture and whisk until well combined.
- Let the batter rest for about 30 minutes to an hour. This will allow the flour to absorb the liquid and create a lighter batter.
Your batter is now ready to be used for your toad in the hole recipe! Make sure to follow the remaining steps in the recipe to create a delicious and hearty dish.
For the sausages:
To cook a delicious toad in the hole, you will need a pack of high-quality sausages. Here’s what you need to do:
- Preheat the oven to 220°C (425°F) and place a baking dish or a cast-iron skillet in the oven to heat up.
- Once the oven is preheated, remove the hot baking dish or skillet from the oven with the help of oven mitts.
- Add a tablespoon of oil or drippings to the hot baking dish or skillet and arrange the sausages in a single layer.
- Place the baking dish or skillet back in the oven and cook the sausages for about 10 minutes, or until they start to brown.
- While the sausages are cooking, prepare the Yorkshire pudding batter.
Following these steps will ensure that your sausages turn out juicy and flavorful, ready to be combined with the Yorkshire pudding batter to create a mouthwatering toad in the hole.
Preparation
Before you start cooking the toad in the hole, you need to gather all the necessary ingredients and equipment. Here’s what you’ll need:
Ingredients:
- 2 cups of all-purpose flour
- 4 large eggs
- 1 1/2 cups of milk
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt
- 8 pork sausages
- 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
Equipment:
- A large mixing bowl
- A whisk
- A roasting pan
- An oven
To prepare the toad in the hole, start by preheating your oven to 425°F (220°C). While the oven is heating up, place the roasting pan with the vegetable oil in it and heat it in the oven for about 10 minutes.
In the meantime, in the large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, eggs, milk, and salt until you have a smooth batter. Once the batter is ready, remove the heated roasting pan from the oven and place the sausages in it. Pour the batter over the sausages, making sure they are evenly covered.
Put the roasting pan back in the oven and bake for about 25-30 minutes or until the toad in the hole is puffed and golden brown. Avoid opening the oven door during the baking process as this may cause the toad in the hole to collapse.
Once the toad in the hole is cooked, remove it from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Serve it with your favorite side dishes, such as mashed potatoes and gravy, and enjoy!
Step 1: Preparing the batter
To make the delicious batter for your toad in the hole, you will need the following ingredients:
- 1 cup of all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup of milk
Start by sifting the flour into a mixing bowl and adding the salt. Make a well in the center of the flour mixture.
In a separate bowl, lightly beat the eggs and then pour them into the well of the flour mixture.
Gradually pour in the milk while whisking the mixture continuously. Continue whisking until a smooth batter is formed.
Let the batter rest for at least 30 minutes to allow the gluten in the flour to relax, which will result in a lighter and crispier toad in the hole.
While the batter is resting, you can proceed to the next step of preparing the sausages and preheating the oven.
Step 2: Cooking the sausages
Once the batter is prepared and resting, it’s time to cook the sausages. This step is crucial to ensure the sausages are cooked through and the flavors develop.
1. Preheat your oven to 200°C (180°C fan). Place a baking dish or a cast-iron skillet in the oven to heat up.
2. Heat a drizzle of oil in a frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the sausages and cook for about 5 minutes, turning occasionally, until browned on all sides. This will give them a delicious caramelized crust.
3. Carefully remove the hot baking dish or skillet from the oven. Place the browned sausages in the dish, ensuring they are evenly spaced apart.
4. Pour the rested batter over the sausages, making sure they are fully submerged but not completely covered. The batter should come up about halfway on the sausages.
5. Return the baking dish or skillet to the oven and bake for about 25-30 minutes, or until the batter is puffed and golden brown. Avoid opening the oven door during baking, as this can cause the batter to deflate.
6. While the sausages are cooking, resist the temptation to peek inside the oven. The toad in the hole needs constant heat to rise properly.
7. Once the toad in the hole is cooked, remove it from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes. This will allow the batter to set and make it easier to serve.
Tip: To make this dish even tastier, you can add some finely chopped onions or herbs to the sausages while they are cooking.
You’re now ready for the next step: making the delicious onion gravy!
Q&A
What is a toad in the hole?
A toad in the hole is a traditional English dish made with sausages baked in a Yorkshire pudding batter.
What ingredients do I need for a toad in the hole?
You will need sausages, flour, eggs, milk, salt, and oil or fat for cooking.
How do I make the batter for a toad in the hole?
To make the batter, mix flour, eggs, milk, and salt together until you have a smooth consistency.
How do I cook the sausages for a toad in the hole?
To cook the sausages, you can either fry them in a pan until browned or grill them for a healthier option.
What temperature and how long do I bake the toad in the hole?
Preheat the oven to 220°C/425°F/Gas Mark 7. Put the sausages in a baking dish and pour the batter over them. Bake for about 25-30 minutes until the batter has risen and turned golden brown.