Polenta Toad In The Hole Food

BASIC POLENTA

Steps:

• Bring 6 cups of water to a boil in a heavy large saucepan. Add 2 teaspoons of salt. Gradually whisk in the cornmeal. Reduce the heat to low and cook until the mixture thickens and the cornmeal is tender, stirring often, about 15 minutes. Turn off the heat. Add the butter, and stir until melted.

POLENTA TOAD IN THE HOLE

Steps:

• Cook bacon in a nonstick skillet. Remove all but a thin film of fat from skillet. Cut cold polenta into 3-inch squares, then cut 2 1/2-inch circles out of centers with a glass or cookie cutter. Fry squares and circles over medium-high heat until golden on bottom. Flip and crack an egg into each hole. Cover and cook until whites are set but yolks are still runny. Serve with bacon.

TOAD-IN-THE-HOLE

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7. Put the chipolatas in a 20 x 30cm roasting tin with the oil and bake for 15 mins until browned.
• Meanwhile, make the batter. Tip the flour into a bowl with ½ tsp salt, make a well in the middle and crack the eggs into it. Use an electric whisk to mix it together, then slowly add the milk, whisking all the time. Leave to stand until the sausages are nice and brown.
• Remove the sausages from the oven - be careful because the fat will be sizzling hot - but if it isn't, put the tin on the hob for a few minutes until it is.
• Pour in the batter mix, transfer to the top shelf of the oven, then cook for 25-30 mins, until risen and golden. Serve with gravy and your favourite veg.

TOAD IN THE HOLE

Steps:

• Pre-heat oven to 425 (220 C/ Gas 7).
• Place butter and sausages in a 10" x 12" roasting pan.
• Cook for 10 minutes, or until they are done to your liking.
• Sift the flour into a bowl.
• Break in the egg.
• Gradually add half the milk, beating to form a smooth batter.
• Pour in the remaining milk and beat until quite smooth.
• Alternatively, add the flour, milk and egg to a blender or food processor and blend until smooth.
• Pour the batter into the roasting pan and bake for 40-45 minutes, until the batter is well risen and golden.

VEGGIE TOAD-IN-THE-HOLE

Steps:

• To make the batter, beat the eggs and milk together in a bowl, add 1 tsp salt, then beat again and leave to stand for 30 mins. Tip in the plain flour and beat well with a whisk until smooth. If you can, make this 2 hrs before needed and allow to stand before pouring into the tin.
• Heat oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7. Pour 2 tbsp oil in a 28 x 23cm roasting tin (or a tin roughly that size), coat the sausages in the oil and roast them in the oven for about 8-10 mins.
• Stir the batter, then remove the tin from the oven and pour the batter over the hot oil and sausages (you can do this over a low heat on the hob to keep the oil nice and hot). Put the tin back in the oven and cook for 10 mins, then turn the temperature down to 180C/160C fan/gas 4 and cook for a further 25-30 mins or until the batter is cooked through.
• Test with a knife in the centre to check it's cooked. Serve with our crunchy polenta roast potatoes, caramelised carrots and veggie gravy, if you like, plus some green vegetables.

CRUNCHY POLENTA ROASTIES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Pour a good glug of oil in a large roasting tin and put in the oven. Put the potatoes in a saucepan and cover with boiling water from the kettle. Bring to the boil and cook for 7-8 mins.
• Drain the potatoes, then toss them in the polenta to help them dry out and get a fluffy coating. Carefully tip the potatoes into the hot roasting tin, drizzle over a little more oil and toss to coat.
• Roast for 30 mins, then turn them over and roast for 30 mins. Turn once more and cook for a further 10 mins. These can go on the lower shelf while you make an accompanying dish (such as our veggie toad-in-the-hole), and can cook for a further 15-20 mins if required.