Course Breakfast Serving temperature Warm Other information 18th century onwards | Place of origin United Kingdom | |
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Similar Water, Steak and kidney pie, Steak and kidney pudding, Lancashire hotpot, Suet pudding | ||
Tasty devilled kidneys on toast
Devilled kidneys is a Victorian British breakfast dish consisting of lamb's kidneys cooked in a spiced sauce, referred to as "devilling". It has since become more frequently used as a supper-time dish, and is regularly featured in cookbooks and by celebrity chefs.
Contents
Description
The devilling mixture consists of Worcestershire sauce, mustard, butter, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper, although some recipes can also include curry powder in them. Chicken stock can also be used in the sauce itself.
James Boswell described devilling during the 18th century, although it was not until the 19th and 20th centuries that devilled kidneys grew in popularity as a breakfast dish. During the Edwardian era, the dish was typically served in gentlemen's clubs, and was part of a cuisine which also included items such as kedgeree or kippers. In the modern era it has mostly been promoted as a supper dish instead of at breakfast.
Variations
British celebrity chef Rick Stein created a recipe combining devilled kidneys with wild mushrooms to create an entrée. The dish is often included in cookbooks, with versions gracing the covers of books by the Canteen restaurant, as well as books by The Hairy Bikers. Chef Fergus Henderson described Caroline Conran's version of devilled kidneys as "the best recipe, ever!", and Marco Pierre White created devils kidneys for the celebrities in one of his seasons of ITV's Hell's Kitchen.
