Toad in the Hole
Toad in the Hole is a quintessential British classic that could be described as sausages baked in a giant Yorkshire pudding and served with onion gravy. Next to Bangers and Mash it’s hard to imagine better comfort food!The origin of its name is unclear and debated but it certainly is an interesting one! Some have suggested it’s because the sausages resemble a toad sticking its head out of a hole. What we do know is that it has been around since at least the mid 1700’s. It was noted that virtually anything could be baked up and disguised in this big Yorkshire pudding. The idea was clever and served as an ideal way to use up leftovers and tougher scraps of meat that would otherwise have been thrown away, though fine cuts of beef were also used and served in pubs and at home. Nevertheless, the upper crust of old English society snubbed and reviled the dish, considering it vulgar, uncivilized, and an affront to British cuisine!
It wasn’t until the advent of the industrial revolution of the 19th century, when such values as frugality and time-management dominated, that toad-in-the-hole garnered respect as a working man’s dish and would join the ranks of other traditional English dishes that we enjoy today.
Ingredients:
- 4 British bangers or other quality mild sausages in casings
- extra virgin olive oil
- 1 cup whole milk
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon beef bouillon granules or bouillon base
- 1/2 teaspoon ground mustard powder
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
- Homemade Onion Gravy , for serving