Adam Ragusea - Toad in the hole (personal pan puddings)
The video explains how to make individual portions of Toad in the Hole using a muffin tray, which makes the dish more appealing and less messy. The batter for Yorkshire pudding is made with equal parts eggs, flour, and milk, and the video suggests adding garlic powder for extra flavor. The batter should rest for at least 15 minutes to allow gluten to develop, which helps it puff up during baking. Sausages are cooked in a muffin tin without oil, as they release enough fat. The oven is preheated to 500°F to ensure the batter puffs up properly.
A quick onion gravy is made using shallots, butter, flour, and stock, with additional flavor from Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, and soy sauce. The video suggests adding gelatin for a silky texture. The gravy is seasoned to taste and can be reheated in the microwave before serving. The final dish is garnished with fresh herbs like chives. The individual portions allow the dish to be served as finger food, making it more versatile.
Key Points:
- Use a muffin tray for individual portions of Toad in the Hole.
- Equal parts eggs, flour, and milk make the Yorkshire pudding batter.
- Rest the batter for 15 minutes to develop gluten.
- Cook sausages in a muffin tin without oil; they release enough fat.
- Make a quick onion gravy with shallots, butter, flour, and stock.
Details:
1. 🥧 The Essence of Yorkshire Pudding
- Toad in the Hole is a traditional British dish that involves cooking sausages in Yorkshire pudding batter, providing a unique texture and flavor contrast.
- It's a cost-effective meal, utilizing inexpensive ingredients like sausages and batter, and is typically served with gravy to enhance its flavor profile.
- The dish exemplifies the use of simple ingredients to create a fulfilling and hearty meal, reflecting its cultural significance in British cuisine.
- Preparation involves creating a Yorkshire pudding batter, pouring it over partially cooked sausages, and baking until the batter is golden and crispy.
- Variations include using different types of sausages or adding herbs to the batter for enhanced flavor.
2. 🥣 Crafting the Perfect Batter
- Use a muffin tray to create individual portions for better presentation.
- Yorkshire pudding batter should be made with equal parts eggs, flour, and milk by volume.
- Three eggs are equivalent to 3/4 cup, which is enough for six muffin-sized portions.
- Beat the eggs first, then add 3/4 cup of flour before the milk to create a smooth batter.
- Adding the flour before the milk helps eliminate lumps due to thicker consistency.
- Incorporate 3/4 cup of milk after the flour for the right consistency.
- Add garlic powder and a pinch of salt to enhance flavor, keeping in mind the saltiness of other components like sausage and gravy.
- Aim for a smooth batter consistency for optimal results.
3. 🔥 Cooking Techniques & A Mattress Metaphor
- Allow the mixture to sit for at least 15 minutes before baking to hydrate particles and autolyse proteins, leading to a stretchable gluten web that retains steam.
- Baking immediately will result in less puffiness compared to resting the mixture before baking.
- Use a muffin tin instead of a cupcake tin due to larger size, which accommodates the batter better.
- For six muffins, use three Hot Italian sausages, halving them to fit each muffin cup for enhanced flavor.
- Avoid adding extra oil since sausages render sufficient fat during cooking.
- Begin cooking sausages in a cold oven, gradually increasing to a maximum of 500°F (260°C) to optimize the puffing of Yorkie batter.
4. 🧅 Crafting Quick Onion Gravy
- Start by thinly slicing two large onions.
- Sauté onions in a pan with butter until caramelized, approximately 10-15 minutes.
- Add 2 tablespoons of flour to the onions and cook for 2 minutes.
- Pour 2 cups of beef or vegetable stock slowly, stirring continuously to avoid lumps.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste, and let it simmer for another 5 minutes to thicken.
- Use this onion gravy as a topping for meats, mashed potatoes, or as a base for other sauces.
5. 🍲 Elevating Gravy with Flavor
- Use shallots instead of onions for a quicker preparation and to achieve a more subtle, nuanced flavor profile in small batches of gravy.
- Cook shallots quickly in hot butter to mimic the deep roasted flavor notes typically obtained from roast meat, enhancing the overall taste of the gravy.
- Prepare the roux over high heat, allowing the flour to brown to a golden color, which intensifies the flavor and adds depth to the gravy.
- Gradually deglaze with stock, starting with small amounts to ensure the roux integrates smoothly without lumps, maintaining a silky texture.
6. 🍖 Baking and Perfecting Yorkshire Puddings
- Roll sausages in melted grease for better browning and ensure sausages are mostly cooked before adding pudding.
- Enhance gravy flavor with ingredients like Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, pepper, soy sauce for umami, and gelatin for silkiness.
- Taste and adjust seasoning, especially saltiness, to balance with the unseasoned Yorkshire batter.
- For a quick fix, microwave gravy before serving to ensure it's hot and fresh.
- Chop fresh herbs like chives for garnish to add freshness and color.
- Cook sausages thoroughly, as overcooking is unlikely due to the rendered fat.
- Fill Yorkshire pudding cups no more than 2/3 full to prevent overflow and achieve uniform appearance.
- Avoid dripping batter on sausages to maintain presentation quality.
- Refrain from using convection fan in the oven to avoid cooking the outside of the pudding too fast, which can hinder steam-induced rising.
7. 🎉 Presentation and Enjoyment Tips
- Bake the dish until it stops puffing up, then let it cook for a couple of extra minutes to ensure the insides are thoroughly done.
- Immediately after baking, sprinkle chives on top to enhance flavor and aesthetics; note that the dish will deflate as it cools, so serve quickly for optimal presentation.
- Each serving should easily slide out of the pan, creating a perfect hole for holding gravy, enhancing the dining experience.
- Traditionally, this dish is served with a fork and knife, combining a piece of meat and pudding in each bite for a balanced flavor profile.
- For a more casual serving style, consider making individual portions that can be enjoyed as messy finger food, adding to the fun and versatility of the dish.