Devilled kidneys

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.

Devilled kidneys

Devilled kidneys on toast
Course	Breakfast
Place of origin	United Kingdom
Serving temperature	Warm
Main ingredients	Lamb kidneys
Other information	18th century onwards

Description

The devilling mixture consists of Worcestershire sauce, mustard, butter, cayenne pepper, salt and black pepper.^[1]

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,^[2] 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.^[3]

Variations

British celebrity chef Rick Stein created a recipe combining devilled kidneys with wild mushrooms to create an entrée.^[4] The dish is often included in cookbooks, with versions gracing the covers of books by the Canteen restaurant,^[5] as well as books by The Hairy Bikers.^[1] Chef Fergus Henderson described Caroline Conran's version of devilled kidneys as "the best recipe, ever!",^[6] and Marco Pierre White created devils kidneys for the celebrities in one of his seasons of ITV's Hell's Kitchen.^[7]

See also

• List of lamb dishes
• Food portal