As it continues to get colder and darker and Christmas approaches, oven cooked meals are certainly an appealing prospect. With its comforting batter and juicy sausages, toad in the hole is one of my all time favourite winter meals, especially if served with roast potatoes and winter greens such as kale. What's more, toad in the hole is easy to make and asks for little more than sausages, some flower, some milk and a couple of eggs – perfect if you are running low on money towards the end of term or saving up for Christmas pressies.

This time I have given you a recipe which serves four, as there are sure to be several seasonal social gatherings on the agenda. How about making toad in the hole with all the trimmings as a house meal for you and your friends? Or treating your parents to a night off from cooking when you are back home over the holidays? With such a delicious dish they are bound to thank you for it!

Toad in the hole

Makes 4 portions

Ingredients

• 8 large pork sausages

• 125 g/4 oz plain flour

• pinch salt

• 2 medium eggs

• 225 ml/8 fl oz milk

• 1 tbsp sunflower or vegetable oil

• To serve: seasonal vegetables and roast potatoes

  

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 220˚C/425˚F/Gas Mark 7, 15 minutes before required. Lightly prick the sausages and reserve.

2. Sieve the flour and salt into a mixing bowl and make a well in the centre. Drop the eggs into the well and then, using a wooden spoon, beat in the eggs, drawing the flour in from the sides of the bowl. Gradually add the milk and beat to form a smooth batter without any lumps. Allow to stand for 30 minutes.

3. When ready to cook, pour the oil into a 25.5 x 20.5 cm/10 x 8 inch roasting tin. Heat until almost smoking and then add the sausages. Carefully turn the sausages in the hot oil and return to the oven for 5 minutes.

4. Remove from the oven and turn them over again. Stir the batter well and pour over the sausages. Return to the oven and cook for 35–40 minutes until the pudding is well risen and golden brown. Serve immediately with seasonal vegetables and roast potatoes.

If you are vegetarian, simply replace the pork sausages with a quorn alternative and enjoy. Unfortunately, toad in the hole does not freeze or keep well overnight in the refrigerator. You simply have to eat it all...

If you enjoyed this recipe check out our other blog posts in this series for a great variety of easy recipes for college students, or grab yourself a copy of The Student Cookbook.

Links

• Find out about the fascinating history of toad in the hole here

• Stuck on Christmas shopping? Click here to check out tonnes of thoughtful and original gift ideas 

• Good old Martin has got some great tips on how to celebrate Christmas on a budget here