Toad in the Hole with Cumberland Sausages

Toad in the hole is a classic British comfort food, perfect for a cosy family dinner on a chilly day. Made with Cumberland sausages baked in a light, golden Yorkshire pudding batter, it's simple, satisfying and delicious served with plenty of gravy.

This version uses a little chicken stock seasoning to add extra savoury flavour to the batter. Serve it straight from the oven with your favourite vegetables and gravy for a comforting midweek meal or a relaxed Sunday dinner.

Ingredients

• 3 medium eggs
• 130g plain flour
• 300ml semi-skimmed milk
• 6 good-quality Cumberland sausages (approximately 450g)
• A dash of Knorr Concentrated Chicken stock
• 25g beef dripping or vegetable oil
• Gravy, to serve

Method

1. Make the batter: Break the eggs into a large bowl and whisk well.
2. Add the flour: Gradually whisk in the flour a little at a time, until you have a smooth paste.
3. Add the milk: Slowly pour in the milk, whisking continuously until you have a smooth batter with no lumps.
4. Season and rest: Stir in a dash of concentrated chicken stock to add extra savoury flavour. Cover the batter and set aside to rest for 30 minutes to 1 hour in the fridge.
5. Pre-heat the oven: Heat the oven to 220˚C (200˚C fan). Remove the batter from the fridge while you prepare the sausages.
6. Heat the roasting tin: Place a deep roasting tin the oven to heat thoroughly.
7. Brown the sausages: Heat the beef dripping or vegetable oil in a large frying pan over a medium heat. Add the Cumberland sausages and fry, turning regularly, until browned on all sides. For a healthier option, you can grill the sausages instead.
8. Heat the fat: Carefully transfer the browned sausages and the fat from the frying pan into the hot roasting tin. Return the tin to the oven for 5 minutes, until the fat is very hot.
9. Add the batter: Remove the roasting tin from the oven and carefully pour the rested batter over the sausages. Return to the oven immediately.
10.  Bake until risen: Cook for 25‐30 minutes until the batter has risen and is golden-brown. Avoid opening the oven door during cooking as this causes the batter to sink.
11. Serve: Serve immediately with hot gravy and your favourite vegetables.

Tips:

• For a good rise: Make sure the oven and the fat in the roasting tin are thoroughly hot before adding the batter. Pour it in carefully and return the tin to the oven straight away. Avoid opening the oven door while it bakes

• Adding extra flavour: Knorr Concentrated Chicken stock can add extra savoury flavour to dishes such as casseroles, soups, risottos and roasts. I've also tried adding a splash to Spaghetti bolognese and Corned Beef Hash, and was surprised by how much extra flavour it gave them.

Note: The original version of this recipe used Knorr Touch of Taste Chicken, shown in the image above. This product has since been discontinued so I recommend using Knorr Concentrated Chicken Stock as an alternative. Start with a small dash as the flavour and strength may differ.