Starting Bonfire Night with a banging meal

Halloween has passed. With it, autumn is ushered out and winter is welcomed in. With the change in season comes a new night of traditional British folklore, everybody’s second favourite family holiday: Bonfire Night! The night when communities gather in one spirit to burn effigies of Catholics, and when your dog has a stroke after 69 billion fireworks explode above your house. 

This practice is nothing strange to the British Isles, as the burning of papal papier-mâché takes place across the United Kingdom, notably in summer celebrations in Northern Ireland. The warm July climate allows the bonfires to be enjoyed with summery Northern Irish classics, such as a bag of quavers and a warm can of Strongbow. However, the chill of November 5th demands a hot and comforting meal. 

That’s why I want to share with you this Bonfire Night classic you’ve probably never heard of before: Catherine wheel toad-in-the-hole. A quintessentially British meal with an on-theme twist. The twist being the toad is twisted. Sick. BBC Good Food described the delicacy as “perfect for a cold autumnal evening, this combination of sausage and Yorkshire pudding in a pretty coiled design is sure to be a family hit” - and those guys are actual journalists, so you should take their word for it.

Another description of this dish could be “mum put effort into dinner for once: great googily moogily!” It truly is a meal that brings families together on a family night. To be enjoyed by both Catholics and Protestants. Happy heretic hunting!