### British Comfort: Classic Toad in the Hole with Caramelized Onion Gravy
Hello lovely readers,
Welcome back to another cozy corner of Al’s Cooking Blog! Today, we’re diving into a quintessentially British dish that I guarantee will become a family favorite: Toad in the Hole, paired with a sumptuous Caramelized Onion Gravy.
I don’t know about you, but when the weather turns chilly, I crave comfort food that feels like a warm hug. With four children and a bustling household, finding a recipe that’s both simple and hearty can be a bit of a challenge. But this dish hits the mark perfectly. It’s a classic, it’s nostalgic, and it’s exceptionally delicious.
The name “Toad in the Hole” always brings a smile to my face. It hails from the more whimsical side of British cuisine, and while the origins of the name are a bit murky, it remains a beloved staple. Imagine succulent pork sausages enrobed in a puffy Yorkshire pudding-like batter, served with a rich, savory onion gravy… can you say “perfect Sunday dinner”?
### The Ingredients
You’ll need some basic ingredients for this dish. The great thing about Toad in the Hole is that it transforms simple pantry items into a decadent feast.
#### For the Toad in the Hole:
– 8 pork sausages (approximately 400g)
– 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
– 2 large eggs
– 150ml whole milk
– 100g plain flour
– 1/2 teaspoon salt
– 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
#### For the Caramelized Onion Gravy:
– 2 large onions, thinly sliced
– 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
– 1 tablespoon olive oil
– 1 tablespoon plain flour
– 500ml beef stock
– 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
– 1 teaspoon brown sugar
– Salt and pepper to taste
### The Method
#### For the Toad in the Hole:
1. **Preheat the Oven**: Start by preheating your oven to 220°C (200°C fan)/425°F/gas mark 7. This dish really benefits from a hot oven to ensure a crisp batter.
2. **Cook the Sausages**: Add the vegetable oil to a large roasting tin and let it heat in the oven for about 5 minutes. Once hot, toss in the sausages. Roast them for 15 minutes, turning them halfway through, until they’re beautifully golden and browned.
3. **Prepare the Batter**: While your sausages are cooking, whisk together the eggs, milk, flour, salt, and pepper in a bowl until you have a smooth, lump-free batter.
4. **Combine and Bake**: Carefully pour the batter over the piping-hot sausages in the roasting tin. Return everything to the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes. Keep an eye on it; you want your batter to rise and turn golden brown.
#### For the Caramelized Onion Gravy:
1. **Caramelize the Onions**: In a large pan, heat the unsalted butter and olive oil over medium heat. Add the thinly sliced onions and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 20-25 minutes, or until they are soft, golden, and caramelized. This process brings out the natural sweetness of the onions, adding a deep, rich flavor to your gravy.
2. **Create the Gravy Base**: Sprinkle the plain flour over the caramelized onions, stirring to combine. Cook for 1-2 minutes to eliminate the raw flour taste.
3. **Add the Stock**: Gradually add the beef stock, stirring constantly to avoid lumps. Bring the mixture to a simmer and let it cook for 5-10 minutes until it starts to thicken.
4. **Finish the Gravy**: Stir in the balsamic vinegar and brown sugar, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Let it simmer for another 2-3 minutes until all the flavors meld together beautifully.
#### To Serve:
1. **Plate the Dish**: Once your toad in the hole is out of the oven, let it cool for a couple of minutes before slicing. Trust me, the wait is worth it!
2. **Serve with Gravy**: Arrange generous slices on your plates and spoon over that luscious onion gravy. Cue the contented sighs and happy faces around the table.
### Final Thoughts
This dish fully embodies the essence of home cooking – simple, delicious, and perfect for feeding a hungry family. It’s one of those meals where everyone can gather around the table, enjoy hearty food, and share laughter and stories from the day.
So, next time you find yourself looking for a comforting dinner idea, give Toad in the Hole a try. I’d love to hear how it turns out for you! Until next time, happy cooking!
Cheers,
Al
Ingredients
### Ingredients:
#### For the Toad in the Hole:
– 8 pork sausages (approximately 400g)
– 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
– 2 large eggs
– 150ml whole milk
– 100g plain flour
– 1/2 teaspoon salt
– 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
#### For the Caramelized Onion Gravy:
– 2 large onions, thinly sliced
– 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
– 1 tablespoon olive oil
– 1 tablespoon plain flour
– 500ml beef stock
– 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
– 1 teaspoon brown sugar
– Salt and pepper to taste
Method
### Method:
#### For the Toad in the Hole:
1. **Preheat the Oven**: Preheat your oven to 220°C (200°C fan)/425°F/gas mark 7.
2. **Cook the Sausages**: Add the vegetable oil to a large roasting tin and place it in the oven to heat for 5 minutes. Once hot, add the sausages to the tin and roast for 15 minutes, turning once halfway through, until browned.
3. **Prepare the Batter**: While the sausages are cooking, whisk together the eggs, milk, flour, salt, and pepper in a bowl until smooth and free of lumps.
4. **Combine and Bake**: Carefully pour the batter over the hot sausages in the roasting tin. Return to the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the batter is risen, golden, and crisp.
#### For the Caramelized Onion Gravy:
1. **Caramelize the Onions**: In a large pan, heat the unsalted butter and olive oil over medium heat. Add the thinly sliced onions and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 20-25 minutes, or until they are soft, golden, and caramelized.
2. **Create the Gravy Base**: Sprinkle the plain flour over the caramelized onions and stir to combine. Cook for 1-2 minutes to remove the raw flour taste.
3. **Add the Stock**: Gradually add the beef stock while stirring constantly to avoid lumps. Bring to a simmer and cook for 5-10 minutes, until slightly thickened.
4. **Finish the Gravy**: Add the balsamic vinegar and brown sugar, then season with salt and pepper to taste. Simmer for another 2-3 minutes.
#### To Serve:
1. **Plate the Dish**: Remove the toad in the hole from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before slicing.
2. **Serve with Gravy**: Serve the toad in the hole hot, with the caramelized onion gravy generously spooned over the top. Enjoy!
