Tasty, cheap, toad in the hole

This is an easy, tasty meal that I used to make on a Sunday instead of a roast when times were hard. I often had to make my toad in the hole with only 4 or 5 sausages to feed 3 or 4 of us. This was to save money, but I continue it now to reduce the amount of meat that we eat for health reasons. I therefore enhance my flavours in other ways by adding herbs and caramelised onion.

Sometimes I will also add stuffing balls, especially if I am making this after Christmas and I need to use up left overs.  One year we got a lot of pigs in blankets reduced on boxing day and we used these to make a toad in the hole too. The picture is of a toad in the hole that I made with pigs in blankets.

RECIPE

4 fresh eggs, measured in a jug

Equal quantity of milk to eggs

Equal amount of flour to eggs

Teaspoon of mixed herbs

Pinch of salt.

I red onion, sliced

1 tbsp red wine vinegar

1 tsp sugar

4 sausages (or more if you want).  If I am feeding a lot I cut the small and add stuffing balls too.

Oil for cooking.

METHOD

1. Mix the eggs, milk, herbs, salt and flour together with a stick blender or electric whisk to incorporate as much air into it as possible. Mix for 5 mins. Put to one side for at least half an hour, linger if possible.
2. Saute the onion in a little oil, add the sugar and let it melt, stir and then add the red wine vinegar. Keep stirring on a low heat, the pan goes brown and so keep stirring the brown into the onions as this is what gives the onion it’s lovely taste.  Place to one side
3. Brown the sausages in a little oil in a frying pan.  If I am adding stuffing balls I cook these with the sausage
4. Put some oil in the bottom of the tin and heat up in the oven or air fryer.
5. Chop the sausages up and distribute them evenly in the bottom of the tin (and the stuffing balls if you have used them). Dot the onion in between the sausages.  Pour on the batter after giving it a quick mix.
6. Cook in the oven at 200⁰C for about 20 mins, or bake in the air fryer for about 14 mins until, or until golden brown.

This recipe can be made with vegetarian sausages, but I have also made it with roast vegetables instead of meat as well.  I have even put fruit in the toad in the hole instead of meat and vegetables, and served it with custard.  It is filling and actually really nice.