Who’s Ready To Bite Into A “Toad In The Hole?”

I found this picture online, and it shows what the dish called “toad in the hole” looks like when ready to serve.

My blogging friend Robbie Cheadle inspired me to make this based on something I think she once shared – even if she didn’t, I made it anyway!

I own the “unofficial Downton Abbey” cookbook, and here’s what they came up with as well…and to address the “elephant in the room”, here’s what I found online:

“Despite popular belief, there is no record of the dish ever being made with toad. The origin of the name is unclear, but it may refer to the way toads wait for their prey in their burrows, with their heads poking out, just as sausages peep through the batter.”

So now “toad” in this dishes history, just a great name so let’s cook!

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cup (180g) all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• Pinch freshly ground black pepper
• 3 large eggs, beaten
• 1 1/2 cup (350ml) milk
• 2 tablespoons (28g) unsalted butter, melted
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil, plus more for greasing the pan
• 1 pound (454g) bangers (English sausage made with pork and breadcrumbs), or good quality pork or beef sausage links

I got these fresh chicken spinach sausages from Whole Foods, taking a break from traditional pork sausages, which I also love…

Pre-heat the oven to 425.

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour with the salt and a pinch of pepper. Make a well in the center of the flour. Pour in the eggs, milk, and melted butter into the well and whisk into the flour until smooth.

Cover and let stand 30 minutes.

Generously grease the bottom and sides of an 8×12-inch or 9×9-inch ceramic or metal casserole dish with vegetable oil. (Do not use a glass baking dish.) Place a rack in the bottom third of the oven. Put the empty dish on the rack in the oven as it preheats.

Heat a tablespoon of vegetable oil in a skillet on medium high. Add the sausages and brown them on at least a couple of sides.

Here’s the fun sound of them searing in the pan – it always sounds good:

When the sausages have browned, and the dish in the oven is hot, pull the oven rack out a bit, put the sausages in the casserole dish, and gently pour the batter over the sausages like this:

Bake at 425°F until the batter is risen and golden (don’t open the oven door while it’s baking!), and a toothpick or knife inserted in the middle of the batter comes out clean, 25 to 35 minutes.

Now, it’s time to eat!

This is a delicious dish – the batter has a crispy exterior and soft interior – much like a Yorkshire pudding – and if you love sausage you can’t go wrong with the combination!

I love English food, and some of the traditional recipes give me a chance to learn more of the English culture and history as well!

I made a “Lancashire Hotpot” and loved it!

Click here for the recipe!

I also loved the English TV series and “Downton Abbey” films and have cooked from their cookbook:

It’s a delicious dinner to make anyone feel like royalty – click here for the recipe!

Speaking of dishes with unique names AND a “Downton Abbey” connection, I offer up this:

Yes, it’s “Spotted Dick!”

Click here for the recipe!

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Categories: Bite Eat Swallow, Bite! Eat! Repeat!, Cookbooks, Eat This!, Food, Food Pictures, Recipes, Wacky Food, World's Wildest Food

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