This is the month that I associate with mists, bonfires and fireworks. Warming, comfort food is the ideal accompaniment so I hope you enjoy the following recipes.
First make the batter by sifting the flour into a bowl and making a well in the middle. Break the egg into the well and add a little of the milk and water mixture(milk alone makes for a heavier batter). Gradually whisk the egg mixture into the flour, adding a little more liquid at regular intervals until the batter is smooth and the consistency of cream. You may not need to use all the milk. Leave the batter to stand. Put the sausages in a roasting tin and put in the oven at 200°C/ 400°F for about 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and place on the hob over a medium heat. Depending on how much fat has come out of the sausages, you will need to add one or two tablespoons of oil.
When the oil is smoking, pour the batter round the sausages then return to the oven. Cook for about 30-40 minutes until the batter is risen and golden brown. Serve with a tasty gravy (Delia Smith recommends home made onion gravy).
If you just want your sausages on their own then this is an ideal recipe. The oven cooks and browns the sausages evenly. Heat the oven to 180°C/350°F. Place the sausages on a baking sheet with the quartered onions. Drizzle the oil over the onions then cook in the oven for about 40 minutes. Meanwhile peel and boil the potatoes in salted water until the potatoes are cooked through. Drain and mash with a knob of butter and some milk, to give a light, smooth, fluffy mixture. If you prefer, some of the potatoes can be replaced by other root vegetables. Serve with the sausages and onions. As another variation, the sausages may be wrapped in rashers of rindless bacon.
Grill the sausages until browned on all sides. Place in a casserole with all the other ingredients and cook in the oven at 190°C/375°F for 45 minutes. Serve with mashed potatoes.
PS If anyone has any good Christmas/celebration recipes they would like to share, please send them into the Bradworthy News as soon as possible and I will endeavour to include them in next month's offerings!