TOAD IN THE HOLE

The classic British dish featuring sausages baked in a savoury batter. The batter is made with simple equal parts of flour, eggs, and milk, ensuring it's smooth and lump-free. The sausages are baked in the hot, sizzling batter until the batter is golden and puffy. Optionally, you can serve with a rich and sausage and onion gravy.

PREP 10m

COOK 30m

TOTAL 40m

SERVES 4

Ingredients-

For the Batter:

  • 1/2 large mug or up to about 150ml (volume) line on a measuring jug

  • Equal parts plain flour, eggs, and whole milk (hand-blended to eliminate lumps)

  • Pinch of salt

For Cooking:

  • 1 tbsp olive oil

  • 1 tbsp butter

  • Good-quality pork sausages

  • Oven temperature: 180°C

Gravy:

  • 1 sausage (optional)

  • 1 small onion, sliced

  • 4 mushrooms, sliced

  • 1 tbsp plain flour

  • 100ml red wine

  • 250ml water

  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions-

  1. Prepare Batter:

    • Mix equal parts plain flour, eggs, and whole milk with a pinch of salt until smooth to make the batter. Make sure there are no lumps.

  2. Prepare Cooking Dish:

    • Use an ovenproof dish or tray that's large enough to accommodate your ingredients. A dish with a diameter of around 25cm works well. Preheat the oven to 180°C.

  3. Heat Fats:

    • Add 1 tbsp of olive oil and 1 tbsp of butter to the ovenproof dish.

    • Place the dish in the oven for about 15 minutes until the fats are sizzling hot.

  4. Combine Batter and Sausages:

    • Pour the batter into the hot oil/butter mixture in the dish.

    • Add the sausages to the dish.

  5. Baking:

    • Bake the toad in the hole at 180°C for 25-30 minutes.

    • Ensure the process is trusted; many people take it out too early, which can result in a soggy batter bottom.

    • The dish takes approximately 30 minutes to cook in a fan oven.

  6. Prepare Gravy (Optional):

    • If desired, make a sausage and onion gravy.

    • Mash up the sausage taken out of its skin in a pan until fine.

    • Add sliced onions and mushrooms and sauté until softened and caramelized.

    • Add the plain flour and cook for 3 minutes.

    • Pour in the red wine and simmer for 5 minutes to cook off the alcohol.

    • Finish with water, adjust consistency to your preference.

    • Season with salt and pepper as needed.

  7. Serve:

    • Serve the toad in the hole with or without the optional sausage and onion gravy.

    • Enjoy the classic British comfort food!