Non-Britons Probably Can't Guess What 'Toad In The Hole' Actually Is
In America, a toad in the hole may refer to an egg cooked in the center of a piece of bread, but in Britain, it's something else entirely. You might now be imagining a big cauldron with warty toads bubbling around in an ominous stew, but a toad in the hole is not a scene from Macbeth. It's a hearty meal that, surprisingly, does not include any toads, frogs, or other amphibians. A British classic, toad in the hole is almost as iconic as a British roast dinner or chip butty. It's similarly comforting and hearty as well.
Served up since the 18th century, this dish has a rich history illustrating the classist struggles during the Industrial Revolution. As meat became increasingly expensive, this era saw a rise in batter-based recipes which used small amounts of meat, yet remained filling and cheap. Although the modern toad in the hole recipe may incorporate more meat than its earlier predecessors, the nature of this wholesome dish remains the same. It's a meal that's meant to be enjoyed in the company of others, even though its name may still be confusing to those who are not familiar with British cuisine!
No toads to see here
A toad in the hole might not look too appetizing, but the combination of meaty sausages and crispy batter is incredible. The sausages are pre-cooked first in a large tray or dish before a Yorkshire pudding batter, with plenty of fresh rosemary, is poured inside. The light batter rises around the sausages and creates a golden, crunchy boat. A great comfort meal, or rainy day dinner, this dish is perfect for sharing or can be easily adapted to make it smaller if you've got a few spare sausages.
You're probably wondering why exactly this dish needs a name like "toad in the hole." It's reminiscent of bangers and mash, another peculiarly-named British dish. While you're wrapping your head around the idea of calling sausages bangers, here's another language quandary: the "toad" in toad in the hole refers to sausages too; the "hole" refers to the crispy batter. This dish is likely to have caught its name from the way the sausages poke out of the batter like toads peep out of their burrows.
How to elevate your toad
A toad in the hole is nothing without a side of epic onion gravy. Usually made with onions, sugar, and stock, this gravy fuses the beautiful flavors of the sausage and batter. By caramelizing the onions first before adding the stock, you get a gorgeously rich gravy. If you want to add a meatier kick, you can always add sausage meat to the caramelized onions. Or if you're looking for a healthier gravy option, then try out the vegetable water trick.
Toad in the hole sounds like the perfect meal for any carnivore, but it can easily be made vegetarian too. You can simply switch out the meaty sausages for plant-based alternatives such as Beyond Sausage Brat Original or Field Roast Smoked Apple & Sage. Additionally, you can make the gravy with vegetable stock only, providing ample options for those with specific dietary needs. With this newfound knowledge of what toad in the hole really is, you can wow your friends with a delicious and toad-free meal!