What the Heck is Toad in The Hole?

One of the fun things about the English language is how, over time, expressions that become popular seem to make no sense at all.  Some of the funniest relate to food and many come from the Brits; to call them strange is not a stretch!  Let’s translate them for you so when you see the items on the menu you’ll know exactly what they are.

First up, “Toad-in-the-Hole.” This one is easy, but let’s begin by describing one of the fundamental components first—Yorkshire Pudding.  Nope, not really a pudding, in the American sense. When wheat flour first came into popular use for making cakes, creative cooks devised a way to use both a wheat flour batter and the fat that dripped off the roasting meat to good use. As the fat collected, the batter was then poured into the dripping pan, to bake while the meat finished roasting.  The result was a “pudding” or soft pastry which was light, savory and a flavorful accompaniment to roasted meat.

Picture courtesy JamieOliver.com

In about 1737 it became known as a “Yorkshire” pudding when a cookbook credited Yorkshire as the area of origin.  A typical Yorkshire Pudding is a mixture of eggs, flour, milk and salt, mixed to a pancake-batter consistency. (There are great recipes online) As it cooks, sausages are added, 3-4 or more, to the pudding. As it cooks the sausages begin to peek out of the pudding, thus the name Toad-in-the-Hole!

Photo courtesy recipetineats.com

Another meal with sausages is called “Bangers and Mash.”  Sausages in UK are not like sausages in the US, which typically are small links or patties. Sausages in the UK are bigger, thicker, more like a bratwurst or polish sausage, but with a milder taste. They got the name “banger” when, during World War I, troops in the trenches would cook the sausages and the casing would split from the internal pressure, making a popping sound. Sometimes the pop was a bit louder, more of a bang, so the sausages became known as “bangers.” For an easy dinner, we heartily recommend cooking some sausages, serve them over mashed potatoes with a little gravy and you are set, Bangers and Mash!

One night while visiting Bath, we stepped into a pub and saw bangers on the menu as an appetizer and promptly placed our order.  They came served with a good, hearty mustard and were truly delicious.

Now, gentle reader,  armed with this useful information, go forth and eat with confidence and gusto!

Main photo courtesy Foodista.com