Sausages are so popular with the Brits, they celebrate National Sausage Week every year around the first week in November. Traditional British sausage dishes such as Sausage and Mash (appearing on every pub menu) and Toad in the Hole (a favorite at-home children’s dish) are served, as well as sausage casseroles. The classic English breakfast, Eggs, Bangers, Beans, & Chips, is served everywhere, and the sausages come in both pork and vegetarian versions. Even if you don’t live in Britain, almost everyone loves some kind of sausages, and National Sausage Week is a good time to whip up a scrumptious dish using them. British Sausages (also called bangers) are different than those sold in the US; they are generally smaller in diameter and they are not as rich. Some grocery stores and specialty stores carry British sausages, so use them if you can find them; otherwise, Bratwurst is very close and works well in British sausage dishes such as the following Rosemary & Tomato Toad in the Hole. It’s a favorite among the official Hancock tasters, and needs only to be accompanied by a salad or vegetable for a full meal.

The following recipe makes four quite large servings. For those who are light eaters, cut the sausages in half lengthwise and make 6-8 smaller servings. Also, a cup of halved cherry tomatoes can be scattered over the top instead of two regular halved tomatoes.

4 Large Servings

4 English bangers, bratwurst sausages, or other uncooked sausages (about 1 pound)
4 slices bacon

1 1/4 cups flour
2 eggs
3/4 cup milk
1/2 cup water
1/2 teaspoon salt

2 sprigs fresh rosemary, 4" each, leaves torn from the stems and coarsely chopped
2 medium tomatoes halved lengthwise or 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

1 12 oz. jar pork gravy

1. Preheat the oven to 425°.
2. Wrap the sausages with the bacon and place spoke-fashion in a 9" cast iron pan; bake for 20 minutes.
3. Meanwhile whisk together the flour, eggs, milk, water, and salt until smooth.
4. Pour over the sausages; sprinkle with the rosemary and place the tomato halves in each quarter.
5. Return the pan to the oven and bake 25-30 minutes or until puffed and brown.
6. Heat the gravy and serve with the Toad in the Hole.

Amount Per Serving
Calories 527 Calories from Fat 276
Percent Total Calories From:
Fat 52% Protein 19% Carb. 29%

Nutrient Amount per Serving
Total Fat 31 g
Saturated Fat 11 g
Cholesterol 170 mg
Sodium 994 mg
Total Carbohydrate 38 g
Dietary Fiber 0 g
Sugars 0 g
Protein 24 g

Vitamin A 10% Vitamin C 28% Calcium 0% Iron 16%