Toad in the Hole | Community Recipes | Nigella's Recipes (2024)

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Introduction

This is the platonic ideal of the Sunday night supper: undemanding and safe-making, it bolsters as it comforts. But while I love its nursery charm, I have tweaked it a little, not least in that I don't leave the sausages whole, but squeeze them into little patties, which I fry on the hob before blanketing with batter and baking in a ferociously hot oven. I am not trying to create more work - not that squeezing sausages out of their skins is arduous (indeed, it is strangely satisfying) - but I really don't like the way that the sausages, when this is prepared in the traditional manner, go a spooky braised pink as they cook within the batter. Yes, you can give them a start in the hot oven so they sear first, but it never quite seems to do the trick, and this way one doesn't have to return to them. You just fry the little patties, pour the batter over them, chuck in the oven and leave them to it.

This is the platonic ideal of the Sunday night supper: undemanding and safe-making, it bolsters as it comforts. But while I love its nursery charm, I have tweaked it a little, not least in that I don't leave the sausages whole, but squeeze them into little patties, which I fry on the hob before blanketing with batter and baking in a ferociously hot oven. I am not trying to create more work - not that squeezing sausages out of their skins is arduous (indeed, it is strangely satisfying) - but I really don't like the way that the sausages, when this is prepared in the traditional manner, go a spooky braised pink as they cook within the batter. Yes, you can give them a start in the hot oven so they sear first, but it never quite seems to do the trick, and this way one doesn't have to return to them. You just fry the little patties, pour the batter over them, chuck in the oven and leave them to it.

Ingredients

Serves: 4–6

MetricCups

  • 350 millilitres milk (full fat)
  • 4 eggs
  • 1 pinch of salt
  • 250 grams plain flour
  • 400 grams pork sausages (6 in number)
  • 15 millilitres goose fat (or vegetable shortening or oil)
  • 4 sprigs fresh thyme (plus more for serving if wished)
  • 12¼ fluid ounces milk (full fat)
  • 4 eggs
  • 1 pinch of salt
  • 9 ounces all-purpose flour
  • 14 ounces pork sausages (6 in number)
  • ½ fluid ounce goose fat (or vegetable shortening or oil)
  • 4 sprigs fresh thyme (plus more for serving if wished)

Method

Toad in the Hole is a community recipe submitted by Nollo and has not been tested by Nigella.com so we are not able to answer questions regarding this recipe.

  • Preheat the oven to 220°C/gas mark 7. Whisk the milk and eggs together with the salt, then whisk in the flour, beating to make a smooth batter. I find this way round makes for a lighter batter.
  • Press the sausage meat out of its casing (you may need to nick the skin with a knife), half a sausage at a time, rolling it in your hands to form a ball and then squash gently to make a little, fat patty. You should get 12 patties from the 6 sausages.
  • Heat the fat or oil in a heavy-based, flame-safe roasting tin on the hob and brown the patties for about 1 minute each side: you need do no more than make them look enticingly brown.
  • With the patties and oil still hot, pour in the batter and quickly drop in the sprigs of thyme. Absolutely immediately put into the oven for about 40 minutes or until the edges of the batter have risen and turned golden, and the eggy middle has set.
  • Serve immediately, scattered with a thyme sprig or two or just a few leaves and with gravy if you feel you can only properly enjoy Yorkshire pud when it’s sauce-sogged.
  • Preheat the oven to 220°C/gas mark 7. Whisk the milk and eggs together with the salt, then whisk in the flour, beating to make a smooth batter. I find this way round makes for a lighter batter.
  • Press the sausage meat out of its casing (you may need to nick the skin with a knife), half a sausage at a time, rolling it in your hands to form a ball and then squash gently to make a little, fat patty. You should get 12 patties from the 6 sausages.
  • Heat the fat or oil in a heavy-based, flame-safe roasting tin on the hob and brown the patties for about 1 minute each side: you need do no more than make them look enticingly brown.
  • With the patties and oil still hot, pour in the batter and quickly drop in the sprigs of thyme. Absolutely immediately put into the oven for about 40 minutes or until the edges of the batter have risen and turned golden, and the eggy middle has set.
  • Serve immediately, scattered with a thyme sprig or two or just a few leaves and with gravy if you feel you can only properly enjoy Yorkshire pud when it’s sauce-sogged.
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    Tell us what you think

    What 4 Others have said

    • This is very yummy especially with sauce/gravy. We're having it again tonight!

      Posted by ando2thomas on 3rd April 2013
    • I love this recipe and cook it for my family all the time.

      Posted by Hokey Pokey on 14th January 2013
    • I live in Central Queensland Australia, the only toad in the hole I knew about was the one where you use a round pastry cutter in the middle of a slice of bread, break an egg into the hole and pan fry. I tried yours and loved it.

      Posted by BARBISBOSS on 1st December 2012
    • As a transplanted American, I had never heard of Toad in the Hole until 10 years ago when I moved over here. Since then, I have been searching for the perfect recipe as, everytime I have tried to put one together, it has failed miserably...too much stodge, uncooked sausages. Now, though, I have discovered THE RECIPE...and, thanks to Nigella, my four teenage daughters have deemed this 'the favourite family recipe!' I am visiting my family in 6 weeks in the US and boy are they in for a treat...Thanks Nigella...absolutely perfect!!

      Posted by brennlin on 15th February 2012

    Show more comments

    Toad in the Hole | Community Recipes | Nigella's Recipes (1)

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    Toad in the Hole | Community Recipes | Nigella's Recipes (2024)

    FAQs

    Why does my toad in the hole have a soggy bottom? ›

    There are a few things that will make your batter soggy and stop it from rising nicely. You need to make sure your batter is a good consistency – not too thick and not too thin. This recipe seems to work nicely for us. If your batter still isn't rising well it could be that you haven't used enough oil.

    What is the best tin for toad in the hole? ›

    What is the best baking tin for toad in the hole? A metal tin with fairly high sides is best because metal is a very efficient conductor of heat and getting the batter hot is essential for a good rise.

    Why is my toad in the hole like cake? ›

    Our answer. The batter in a toad in the hole should rise up but will be airy and crisp rather than spongy or cakey. The flour should be plain (all-purpose) flour and not self-raising. However it is most likely that the batter isn't quite cooking properly due to the dish.

    How do you keep toad in the hole from sticking to the bottom? ›

    Line the baking dish with parchment paper. Forget the oil. Add some of the sausage drippings to the batter for flavor and then grease the baking dish with shortening. When you add the batter to the baking dish, the shortening will not be displaced by the batter and help prevent the sticking.

    How to stop toad in the hole sinking? ›

    Toad In The Hole
    1. Let the batter rest for at least 10 minutes.
    2. Pre-heat the tray and oil for at least 10 minutes.
    3. Be quick when pouring the batter into the tray, and do not open the oven door whilst the Yorkshire puddings are cooking.
    Oct 5, 2019

    How does batter become crispy? ›

    The simplest one involves the use of cold sparkling water, flour, pepper and a pinch of baking soda: a batter for crispy and swollen fried food, without the use of eggs, for frying vegetables, fish or chicken.

    Can you cook toad in the hole and reheat? ›

    Can I make it ahead? It's best served right away, but you can make it ahead, or save leftovers and reheat later. Cook, then quickly cool, cover and refrigerate the toad in the hole.

    What cut of meat is used in a toad in the hole? ›

    Toad in the hole is a traditional English dish consisting of sausages in Yorkshire pudding batter, usually served with onion gravy and vegetables. Historically, the dish has also been prepared using other meats, such as rump steak and lamb's kidney.

    What do you drink with toad in the hole? ›

    Sweet, ripe cabernet and cab-shiraz blends would be ideal, as would quaffable Chilean merlot or carmenère, for example.

    What do you serve with toad in the hole? ›

    Serve at the table with the Toad in the hole, mashed potatoes, greens and baked beans or maybe a green salad if you're feeling a little guilty!

    Can you eat toad in the hole the next day? ›

    How long can you keep Toad in the Hole in the fridge? Once you've put it out, ideally you should eat it within 4 hours. If you allow any leftovers to cool, make sure to refrigerate in a container with a lid and chill. You can keep leftovers of Toad in the Hole in the fridge for approximately 3 days or so.

    Why does my toad in the hole batter not rise? ›

    Make sure the the fat is really hot before you add the batter. Really, really hot oil. It has to be smoking as you pour the batter in. Don't, under any circ*mstances open the oven door during cooking or they will sink.

    What is the white stuff coming out of my toad? ›

    In toads, these glands contain bufotoxin, which is a neurotoxin. When a toad is under duress it will secrete the milky bufotoxin from these glands and sometimes even shoot it out to try and get it in the predator's eyes or mouth.

    Why is toad in the hole called toad in the? ›

    Far from popular belief, there is no record of the dish ever being baked with toads substituting the meat. The reference to toads is believed to be referring to the similarity in appearance to toads lying in wait of prey in their burrows, their heads visible against the earth.

    What does a sick toad look like? ›

    Underfed, newly acquired amphibians that are kept in poor-quality water or other less-than-ideal environmental conditions are particularly susceptible. Signs include lethargy; extreme thinness; open sores that do not heal on the skin, nose, and toes; and the characteristic reddening of the legs and abdomen.

    Why are toads wet? ›

    Flexi Says: Frogs and toads don't have fur, feathers, or scales on their skin. Instead, they have a moist and permeable skin layer covered with mucous glands. Their special skin allows them to breathe through their skin in addition to using their lungs.

    Why are toads slimy? ›

    A layer of mucus helps keep frogs moist and makes them feel slimy. On the other hand, toads have dry, thick skin. The thickened skin of their upper body helps them retain water so they can live in drier habitats. Toads usually absorb water through the thinner skin of their bellies.

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