Toad in the hole. A classic British dinner dish usually served with onion gravy and vegetables! I honestly do not think I have ever met a person who does not like this amazing, family comfort meal! It tastes so good, it super easy to make and it is quick to prepare! This recipe is perfect for Sunday dinners, family dinner parties, a cosy date night in with your partner, or if your planning on making a nice English dinner! No matter why you want to make a cosy, tasty dinner, this is the perfect recipe for any occasion!
This recipe takes only 20 minutes of work to prepare and it feeds 4 large servings, and 6 medium servings! So, what are we waiting for! let’s get cooking everyone’s favourite English classic dinner!
Toad in the hole- ingredients!
There is quite a lot of ingredients that it takes to make this recipe, but if you enjoy cooking, and enjoy eating- especially this amazing dinner- then they are all worth it! Here is the list of ingredients to make your meal!
-140g plain flour
-4 large eggs
-300ml semi-skimmed milk
-1 tbsp wholegrain mustard
-handful of woody herbs, leaves picked and chopped (we used 6 sage leaves, 4 rosemary sprigs and -4 thyme sprigs), plus a handful, fried until crispy, to serve (optional)
-2 tbsp sunflower oil
-8 rashers smoked streaky bacon
-8 fat sausages (we used Cumberland but use your favourite variety)
-2 red onions, cut into wedges
-cooked green vegetables (optional), to serve
-mash, this is optional for the side, to serve.
If you want to make the gravy- which I highly recommend- then here is the ingredients for it!
-drizzle of sunflower oil
-2 red onions, halved and thinly sliced
-1 tbsp golden caster sugar
-2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
-2 tbsp plain flour
-250ml red wine
-500ml chicken or beef stock
Toad in the hole method!
Step 1
Start off by pouring out the flour into a large bowl or a large jug. One by one, crack your eggs in to the bowl and whisk it until it is smooth and blended. Pour in the milk and continue whisking until you have a smooth, lump free batter. Add in your herbs, your mustard and some salt and pepper seasoning. Cover this bowl with clingfilm and set aside for 2 hours, or leave it to rest overnight for the best results.
Step 2
Once your dough has set pre heat your oven to 220C, 200C fan or gas 7. Heat the oil in a large metal roasting tin or enamel baking dish, roughly 30 x 22cm, with high sides. Then, individually wrap a bacon rasher around each sausage and place them in the dish with the chopped, prepared onion wedges.
Step 3
Place on the middle shelf of the oven (make sure the top shelf is removed to allow space for the batter to rise later). Cook for 15-20 mins until the sausages and bacon are browning and sizzling. While this is in the oven we are going to make our gravy! Pop a little bit of oil into a sauce pan and add the sliced onions and cook slowly for 15 mins. Stir every now and then until they are soft and caramelised.
Step 4
Then, add in your sugar and balsamic vinegar and cook it for around 5 minutes until it goes sticky. The batter should be the consistency of double cream – if it has become a little thick, add a splash of cold water. Take the batter out of the oven and open up the door carefully pull out the shelf and quickly pour the batter around the sausages. Be super careful but as the trays etc can be warm. Close back over the door and let this cook for 25 mins! Your toad in the hole is almost done!
Step 5
Now all we need to do is finish the gravy! Weigh out your flour and stick it into the onions and earlier prepared mix, and stir until it makes a paste. Continue stirring while you splash in the wine, a little at a time, until you have a smooth, thick sauce. Put the heat up and let it bubble for a few minutes until the sauce has reduced down by around half. Add the stock and some seasoning, and continue bubbling for 10 mins while the toad cooks.
Step 6
By this time the toad pastry should be puffed up and deep golden brown if it is not you should continue cooking – but don’t open the oven as it will sink. Pour over your gravy, add some mash and veg, and it is ready to go! Your toad in the hole is perfect!
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