Toad in the hole

"Toad in the hole," a weird name for a dish, isn't it? Usually in America it refers to an egg cooked in the hole cut out of a piece of bread. But in England, it's meaty sausages nestled in a giant crispy Yorkshire pudding. All served up with a rich red onion gravy. Skip the mashed potatoes if you like and serve with another vegetable of your choice. This recipe is easy and delicious, perfect for a quick lunch or dinner.

Preparation time - 1-2 hours

Cooking time - 30 mins to 1 hour

Serves - 4

Ingredients

For the batter

• 175g plain flour

• salt and black pepper

• 3 eggs

• 300ml milk

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 8 sausages

For the onion gravy

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• 2 onions, finely sliced

• ½ tsp English mustard

• 500ml stock (from a stock cube, ideally beef although chicken or vegetable is fine)

Instructions

1. For the batter, sieve the flour into a bowl and season with salt and pepper. Make a well in the middle and break in the eggs. Whisk the eggs slowly into the flour. Once combined, pour in the milk while you whisk so that you have a smooth, lump-free batter the consistency of double cream (if the batter is too thick then add a little water). Cover the batter and rest in the fridge for one hour.

2. Preheat the oven to 200C.

3. For the onion gravy, heat a heavy-based frying pan over a low heat. Add the oil, onions and a pinch of salt. Cook gently for 15–20 minutes, or until completely collapsed and dark golden-brown in colour. If the onions are cooking too quickly, then cover with a lid while they cook.

4. Once the onions are completely softened and dark golden-brown, stir in the mustard and a pinch of pepper and then add the stock. Bring the mixture to the boil, reduce to a simmer and simmer for 10–15 minutes, or until the volume of liquid has reduced by half. Taste and adjust the seasoning as necessary.

5. Put a roasting tray into the preheated oven. Once really hot, add the olive oil and the sausages. Brown the sausages in the hot oven, turning now and again until coloured on all sides (they don’t need to be cooked through).

6. Whisk the rested batter and pour it into the hot tin over the browned sausages. Return to the oven and cook for a further 30–35 minutes, or until the batter is risen and golden-brown all over.

7. Reheat the onion gravy and serve the cooked toad in the hole with the mashed potatoes alongside.