Sausage makers HECK are celebrating 10 years of producing sausages – and to mark the occasion, have released 10 new recipes giving classic British teatime meals a meaty twist.
Tikka masala curry, sushi, ramen, and bao buns are among some of the favourite dishes that have had a sausage surprise added to them in the adventurous recipes.
And those with bold taste buds even have a chance to mix sweet and savoury with sausage and pineapple muffins, or a daring pork and apple tarte tatin.
Other traditional desserts that have been turned meaty include French delicacy croquembouche, which has swapped its cream-stuffed choux buns, drizzled with a chocolate sauce, for Yorkshire puddings, sausages, and gravy to be poured over the tempting volcano-shaped gastronomic delight.
And HECK's “sausage trifle” has adapted the beloved layered pudding, using piped mash potato, a cheese sauce, and topped with sausages.
Debbie Keeble, from HECK, which created the guide as part of its “Future Teatime Classics” campaign, said: “Adding panache and fun into flavour-packed meals is exactly what we are about.
“Research shows we whip up the same dinners each day all too frequently. In the last 10 years of HECK, we have encouraged Great Britain to invent, re-think, and reinvigorate their teatime.
“We regularly post new ideas on our social channels – but for this very special occasion, we wanted to push the boat out, releasing 10 full recipes.
“I hope the next time you're thinking of having bangers and mash, you reach for the trifle bowl.”
A poll of 2,000 adults also revealed that 79% feel stuck in a “teatime rut”, and eat the same meals several times a month.
The study also found 59% of adults consider dinner to be the most important meal of the day – confounding many suggestions that breakfast is.
And 70% said it is their favourite time to eat, with home cooks spending an average of 38 minutes in the kitchen each evening.
When asked to name the most iconic TV food moments, Gino D’Acampo’s “If my grandmother had wheels, she would’ve been a bike” comment, on ITV’s This Morning show, swept the board.
His comedic retort floored show host Holly Willoughby, leaving her hiding from the cameras as she laughed – following the suggestion of adding ham to Gino’s authentic Italian carbonara recipe.
However, many may not agree with Gino’s dismay at the suggested twist to his recipes – as 46% believe it’s time for meals, particularly with sausages, to be reinvented for a more exciting spin.
And one in six claimed they would be intrigued to try sausages within a sweet treat.
The study, carried out via OnePoll, also found 56% consider sausages to be a staple part of their grocery shop.
Ruby Parkyn, from Yorkshire-based, family-run business HECK, which has launched 10 different types of sausages since 2013, said: “10 years is a big landmark for us, and we wanted to celebrate it in the only way we know how – cooking something utterly delicious.
“And as a mega-fan of the TV sitcom Friends, I can wholeheartedly say our version of the meat-based trifle is much nicer than the one Rachel prepares for Thanksgiving.”
Tried and tested by HECK’S Secret Sausage society, the Future of Teatime Classics recipes include:
- Sausage trifle
- Sausage croquembouche
- Sausage tikka masala
- Sausage cottage pie
- Sausage Bao buns
- Sausage ramen
- Pork and apple Tarte Tatin
- Savoury sausage Bread and Butter pudding
- Sausage sushi (cooked)
- Sausage and pineapple muffins
