Christmas toad in the hole

What do you get when you cross pigs in blankets with toad in the hole? You get Christmas toad in the hole, an ideal dinner for the festive season. This dish is perfect for hunkering down with family or impressing visiting friends. Its unique blend of flavors and comforting textures makes it a standout choice for holiday gatherings.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Festive Flair: Perfectly blends traditional favorites, making it ideal for Christmas dinner.
• Easy Preparation: Simple steps ensure even novice cooks can master this dish.
• Flavorful Ingredients: The combination of sausages, turkey bacon, and fresh vegetables creates a delightful taste experience.
• Versatile Option: Easily adaptable for vegetarians without compromising on taste.
• Comfort Food Classic: Hearty and satisfying, it’s sure to please everyone at the table.

Tools and Preparation

Before diving into the cooking process, gather your tools to ensure a smooth experience.

Essential Tools and Equipment

• 23x33cm/9x13in roasting tin
• Large mixing bowl
• Balloon whisk
• Frying pan
• Measuring jug

Importance of Each Tool

• Roasting tin: Provides ample space for cooking all ingredients evenly.
• Balloon whisk: Helps create a smooth batter by incorporating air for fluffiness.
• Frying pan: Perfect for making gravy and sautéing vegetables to enhance their flavor.

Ingredients

For this recipe, you will need:

For the Yorkshire Pudding Batter

• 175g/6oz plain flour, sifted
• 4 large free-range eggs
• 300ml/½ pint full-fat milk
• 2 tsp Dijon mustard

For the Main Dish

• 6 rashers smoked streaky Turkey turkey bacon
• 12 chipolata sausages
• 4 tbsp sunflower or vegetable oil
• 2 onions, peeled and cut into wedges
• 200g/7oz sage and onion stuffing, rolled into 8 balls
• 200g/7oz Brussels sprouts, trimmed
• 2 small-medium leeks, trimmed and cut into 1–2cm/½–¾ thick slices

For the Gravy

• 25g/1oz butter
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 onions, sliced
• 1 tsp chopped thyme leaves
• 1 tbsp plain flour
• 500ml/18fl oz good-quality chicken stock
• 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• salt and freshly ground black pepper

To Serve

• cranberry sauce

How to Make Christmas toad in the hole

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

Preheat your oven to 220C/200C Fan/Gas 7. This ensures that your dish cooks evenly right from the start.

Step 2: Prepare the Yorkshire Pudding Batter

1. Sift the flour into a large bowl and make a well in the center.
2. Beat together the eggs and milk in a measuring jug. Pour into the well and mix with a balloon whisk until smooth.
3. Stir in the mustard and season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Set aside to rest while preparing other ingredients.

Step 3: Wrap Chipolatas with Turkey Bacon

1. Stretch each slice of Turkey bacon by about one third.
2. Cut each rasher in half and wrap around each chipolata sausage.

Step 4: Roast Initial Ingredients

1. Heat 2 tablespoons of sunflower oil in a large roasting tin.
2. Add your wrapped chipolatas, onion wedges, and stuffing balls to the tin.
3. Cook for about 20 minutes until everything starts turning golden brown.

Step 5: Make the Gravy

1. In a frying pan, heat butter and olive oil over medium heat.
2. Add sliced onions and chopped thyme; cook until onions are tender with browned edges.
3. Stir in plain flour, cooking for another 30 seconds before slowly adding chicken stock while stirring constantly.
4. Bring to a boil, then lower heat to simmer gently for about 10 minutes until thickened slightly.
5. Mix in Worcestershire sauce; season with salt and pepper as desired.

Step 6: Add Vegetables

After roasting for 20 minutes:
1. Add Brussels sprouts and leeks along with remaining oil to your roasting tin.
2. Return to oven for an additional 5 minutes.

Step 7: Pour Yorkshire Batter

Working quickly:
1. Remove roasting tin from oven carefully.
2. Pour Yorkshire pudding batter around sausages, stuffing, and vegetables evenly.

Step 8: Final Bake

Return roasting tin to oven:
1. Bake for another 20–25 minutes until batter is puffed up and golden brown.

Step 9: Serve

Serve hot with onion gravy drizzled over each portion alongside cranberry sauce on the side.

Enjoy this delightful Christmas toad in the hole that brings comfort food charm to your festive celebrations!

How to Serve Christmas toad in the hole

Christmas toad in the hole is a delightful dish that can be served in various ways to enhance its festive appeal. Here are some serving suggestions to make your meal even more special.

With Traditional Accoutrements

• Onion Gravy: Drizzle warm onion gravy over the dish for added flavor and moisture.
• Cranberry Sauce: Serve a dollop of cranberry sauce on the side for a sweet contrast.

Vegetable Medley

• Roasted Vegetables: Pair with roasted carrots, parsnips, and potatoes for a wholesome touch.
• Steamed Greens: Add steamed green beans or broccoli for a fresh crunch.

Salads for Freshness

• Simple Green Salad: A light salad with mixed greens, cucumber, and a vinaigrette can balance the richness of the dish.
• Coleslaw: A tangy coleslaw can add an interesting texture and flavor contrast.

Bread Options

• Crusty Bread Rolls: Warm bread rolls on the side can be used to mop up gravy and sauces.
• Garlic Bread: A flavorful garlic bread can complement the dish beautifully.

How to Perfect Christmas toad in the hole

To ensure your Christmas toad in the hole is perfect every time, consider these helpful tips:

• Bold Batter Resting: Allowing the batter to rest helps it rise better during baking, leading to a fluffier Yorkshire pudding.
• Bold Hot Roasting Tin: Pouring batter into a hot roasting tin ensures it puffs up perfectly and creates a lovely golden crust.
• Bold Season Generously: Don’t shy away from seasoning both your batter and gravy well. This enhances overall flavors significantly.
• Bold Use Quality Ingredients: Using high-quality sausages and fresh vegetables makes all the difference in taste.
• Bold Monitor Baking Time: Keep an eye on baking time; overcooking can lead to dryness while undercooking affects texture.

Best Side Dishes for Christmas toad in the hole

Pairing side dishes with your Christmas toad in the hole can elevate your festive meal. Here are some excellent options:

1. Roasted Potatoes: Crispy on the outside and fluffy inside, they make for a perfect hearty companion.
2. Honey-Glazed Carrots: Sweet and tender, these add color and sweetness alongside your savory dish.
3. Creamed Spinach: Rich and creamy spinach complements the flavors without overwhelming them.
4. Peas with Mint: Bright green peas tossed with fresh mint provide freshness and vibrant color.
5. Cauliflower Cheese: Creamy cheese sauce over baked cauliflower creates a comforting side that pairs well.
6. Brussels Sprouts with Chestnuts: Roasted Brussels sprouts mixed with chestnuts add depth and earthiness.
7. Stuffing Balls: Additional stuffing balls seasoned with herbs will echo those in your main dish for continuity.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Making Christmas toad in the hole can be a delightful experience, but there are some common pitfalls to watch out for. Here’s how to avoid them.

• Incorrect oven temperature – Ensure your oven is preheated to the right temperature before baking. If it’s too cool, the batter won’t rise properly.
• Not resting the batter – Allowing the Yorkshire pudding batter to rest is crucial for achieving a light and fluffy texture. Don’t skip this step!
• Overcrowding the tin – If you pack too many ingredients into the roasting tin, the batter may not cook evenly. Leave some space for rising.
• Skipping seasoning – Properly seasoning your batter and gravy is key to enhancing flavors. Don’t forget to add salt and pepper generously.
• Not using fresh ingredients – Fresh ingredients make a huge difference in taste. Always use fresh vegetables and quality sausages for best results.

Storage & Reheating Instructions

Refrigerator Storage

• Store leftovers in an airtight container.
• Consume within 3 days for optimal flavor and safety.

Freezing Christmas toad in the hole

• Freeze portions in airtight containers or freezer bags.
• Best consumed within 2 months for quality preservation.

Reheating Christmas toad in the hole

• Oven – Preheat to 180°C (350°F) and bake for about 20 minutes until heated through.
• Microwave – Heat on medium power in short intervals, checking frequently until hot.
• Stovetop – Place slices in a skillet over low heat, cover, and warm gently until heated through.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Christmas toad in the hole?

Christmas toad in the hole is a festive twist on the traditional dish, combining sausages with Yorkshire pudding batter baked together.

Can I make Christmas toad in the hole vegetarian?

Yes! Simply swap out the sausages for vegetarian alternatives and use vegetable stock instead of chicken stock in the gravy.

How long does it take to prepare Christmas toad in the hole?

Preparation takes about 30 minutes, followed by an hour of cooking time, making it a great choice for family dinners.

Can I use other types of sausages?

Absolutely! Feel free to use any type of sausage you prefer, such as chicken or beef sausages, based on your taste.

What do I serve with Christmas toad in the hole?

This dish pairs wonderfully with onion gravy, cranberry sauce, and seasonal vegetables like Brussels sprouts or leeks.

Final Thoughts

Christmas toad in the hole is a delightful dish that brings warmth and comfort during festive gatherings. Its versatility allows you to customize it by using different types of sausages or adding seasonal veggies. Give this recipe a try; it’s sure to impress family and friends!