As the weather turns cooler, we all crave comforting food, especially if it’s quick and easy to make at home. This Cumbrian Curl Toad in the Hole is the perfect dish for those chilly evenings or a cozy family dinner as the nights grow longer. The recipe, courtesy of DukesHill, takes a simple dish and elevates it to new heights. And let’s not forget the caramelized sage butter – it adds an extra layer of indulgence that shouldn’t be missed! For an extra kick, serve it with a firecracker apple sauce. This recipe serves four people, making it perfect for sharing with loved ones.
How to Make Cumbrian Curl Toad in the Hole with Caramelized Sage Butter and Firecracker Apple Chilli Sauce
Ingredients:
*
For the Toad in the Hole:
* 2 Cumberland sausages
* 285ml whole milk
* 115g plain flour
* 1/2 tsp sea salt
* 3 eggs
* Neutral oil (sunflower, vegetable oil)
* 6-8 sage leaves
* 75g salted butter
*
For the Apple and Chilli Sauce:
* Vegetable oil
* 1 onion, chopped
* 1 red chilli, sliced
* 1 tsp coriander seeds
* 2 cooking apples, peeled and chopped
* 4 tbsp cider vinegar
* 4 tbsp caster sugar
* Salt and pepper
Instructions:
1. Make the Apple Chilli Sauce:
* Heat a pan over medium heat and add a little oil. Add the chopped onion, coriander seeds, and sliced chilli. Cook for about 7 minutes, until softened.
* Add the chopped apples, sugar, and cider vinegar. Season to taste.
* Cover the pan and gently cook for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the apples soften.
* Taste and adjust seasoning, adding more sugar or vinegar to balance the flavors as needed.
2. Prepare the Batter:
* Ideally, make the batter ahead of time and let it rest in the fridge, preferably overnight. If not, 20 minutes of resting time will help create a lighter batter.
* Whisk together the flour, milk, eggs, and salt until well combined. Refrigerate until ready to use.
3. Cook the Sausages:
* Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) and place a rack in the center.
* Generously add oil to two round oven-proof serving dishes, slightly larger than your sausages.
* Place the dishes in the oven until the oil is hot. Add the sausages and return to the oven for about 10 minutes.
4. Make the Toad in the Hole:
* Remove the sausages from the oven and crank the oven temperature to the highest setting.
* Add the batter to the hot oil around the sausages in the oven-proof dishes. Place the dishes in the center of the oven. Be very careful as it will splatter!
* Close the oven door and resist the urge to open it while the batter cooks. Let it cook for 20 minutes or until the batter is risen and golden brown.
5. Caramelize the Sage Butter:
* While the toad in the hole is baking, heat the butter in a pan. Once melted, add the sage leaves and continue to cook until the butter turns golden brown.
* Watch closely and remove from heat before it gets too dark, as the residual heat will continue to darken the butter. Set aside.
6. Assemble and Serve:
* Once the toad in the hole is cooked, brush it liberally with the caramelized sage butter.
* Serve with the apple chilli sauce on the side. Enjoy with jacket potatoes, sweet potato wedges, or mashed potatoes.
