Yorkshire Pudding

Life is a bit repetitive these days. But we all have to eat, so I encourage you to use this time to cook new things you’ve never made before. You can do it, be daring, be bold, be different–try this! Yorkshire pudding is one of the most traditional British dishes there are, although the origins of its creation remain murky even to this day. What has been discovered are recipes, some of which date back to the early 1700s.

The very first recorded recipe appeared in a book called “The Whole Duty of a Woman“ (don’t get me started on that title) from 1737. In it, a recipe called “A Dripping Pudding” can be found. This recipe is incredibly similar to Yorkshire Pudding, using drippings from a spit-roast meat, butter, and a traditional pancake batter. The recipe, made on the stovetop, is shaken until light and fluffy and served hot.

The second recorded savory pudding recipe in 1866 in “The Art of Cookery Made Plain and Easy” by Britain’s most famous food writer, Hannah Glasse. The mention of this dish by Glass is ultimately what launched this pudding’s popularity.

The name “Yorkshire pudding” has often confused people. To start, it is a savory dish and not served at the end of a meal  (like a dessert pudding) but historically before the main course and typically with gravy. But that was long ago. These days Yorkshire pudding is most commonly served alongside beef, often a Sunday roast or prime rib roast as British tradition has it.

Traditionally, Yorkshire pudding is cooked in a large, shallow tin and then cut into smaller pieces. Modern recipes often make this classic dish in individual serving sizes, but I prefer to make it in a cast iron pan, for a more rustic feel. With just a few basic ingredients like flour, eggs, milk, and salt, this British favorite has staying power like no other.

Today, Yorkshire pudding is just as popular as ever; this simple dish with a cult-like following, gained a worldwide reputation and shows no signs of disappearing anytime soon. Considered a go-to dish for any holiday meal, but also an ideal one for lockdown cooking when many ingredients can be hard to come by. With its effortless preparation, this savory pudding may just become a new family favorite.