Leftover Grilled Meat Toad in a Hole

Great way to use leftover grilled meat

This savory oven-baked pancake is an excellent choice for anyone looking for new ways to use up leftover meat and vegetables from a barbecue. It is easy to prepare, made with simple, readily available ingredients, and can easily be adapted to whatever you have on hand.

We love it because it is:

• made with simple ingredients that we often already have at home,
• juicy, tender, and full of flavour,
• perfect for a weekday lunch or dinner,
• suitable for both children and adults,
• easy to slice and serve.

Another great advantage of this oven-baked pancake is that there is no need to flip it or cook it in several batches. Simply pour the batter into the baking dish and bake until golden brown. This saves time while still producing an impressive and delicious result with very little effort.

Top 5 tips and tricks

Follow these tips to master this recipe at home.

1. Preheat the baking dish and oil -  A very hot baking dish is one of the most important secrets to successful Toad in a Hole. Heat the oil in the oven before adding the meat and batter. When the batter hits the hot oil, it immediately begins to cook and rise. If the dish is not hot enough, the batter may become dense, pale, or greasy instead of puffed and crisp. Use a metal or enamel baking dish when possible, as these materials usually heat faster than thick ceramic or glass dishes.
2. Use room temperature ingredients - Room-temperature eggs and milk combine more easily and help the batter cook evenly. Cold batter added directly to a hot dish can reduce the temperature too quickly.
3. Do not overfill - Leave enough space between the meat pieces for the batter to spread and rise. If the dish is overloaded with grilled meat or vegetables, the batter may struggle to puff and the centre may remain wet. The meat should be distributed in a relatively even layer rather than piled on top of itself.
4. Do not open the oven too early - Avoid opening the oven door during the first 20 to 25 minutes of baking. The batter rises because of steam and high heat. A sudden drop in temperature can cause it to deflate before the structure has set. Check the dish through the oven door. Open the oven only when the edges are well puffed and the surface is already turning golden brown.
5. Adjust the seasoning to the leftover meat - Grilled sausages and cevapcici often contain plenty of salt, pepper, garlic, and spices. Use only a small pinch of salt in the batter, then add more at the table if needed. This prevents the final dish from becoming overly salty. You can customise the dried herbs according to the meat. Thyme and rosemary are excellent with sausages, oregano works well with cevapcici, and parsley is a good all-purpose choice.

What to serve with this savory oven pancake?

The oven-baked meat pancake is rich and filling enough to serve as a main course on its own. For a balanced meal, pair it with a fresh seasonal salad.

It pairs beautifully with:

• Spicy Asian Cucumber Salad
• Panzanella Salad
• Coleslaw
• Greek Salad
• Caprese Salad with White Beans
• Creamy Cucumber Salad
• String Bean Salad with Sesame Seeds

Storing

If you have any leftovers, allow them to cool to room temperature first. Transfer them to an airtight container, seal well, and refrigerate.

In the refrigerator:
Store the oven-baked meat pancake in a sealed container for up to 2 days. Reheat thoroughly before serving.

How to make Leftover Grilled Meat Toad in a Hole (video)

Watch this short video to make preparing the dish at home even easier.

Next, try this recipe with cevapcici

• Cevapcici with Kajmak

Made in collaboration with Ministry of Agriculture.