Christmas

[Rachiegarlo]

righteo you may have noticed the influx of Christmas stuff in the shops over the last month, soon to be followed by a significant increase in junk mail in your letterbox and one day soon you might stop in your tracks and go OMG what are we going to do without Nan's, Mum's (substitute whoever) christmas pudding:arghh:!!!

 

So here is a tried n tested recipe, used by me for many years, originally from a tescos christmas cookbook bequeathed to me by a UK returning sister .

 

Also suitable for Vegetarians.

Serves 8, but really more cos most people only have a small bit.

 

175g (6oz) currants

175g (6oz) raisins

100g (4oz) sultanas

juice and grated rind of 1/2 orange

grated rind 1/2 lemon

175g (6oz) fresh brown breadcrumbs

50g (2 oz) slivered blanched almonds

1/2 tsp nutmeg

1/2 tsp cinnamon

50g (2 oz) dark brown sugar

2 eggs beaten

2 tblsp brandy

2 tblsp rum

2 tblsp port

100 g (4oz) butter, melted and cooled.

 

mix dried fruit, orange and lemon rind, breadcrumbs, nuts, spices and sugar.

whisk together the eggs, juice, booze and butter.

stir two mixtures together, mixing well.

 

Turn into a 1.2 litre ( 2 pint) buttered pudding basin. ( I line fully with foil instead)

Let stand for an hour.

Cover with foil tightly.

 

Steam for 7 hours, adding boiling water as needed.

When cooked , allow to cool completely and store in a cool dry place (fridge is good here) or freeze. Use within a year.

 

To reheat on Christmas, steam for 2 1/2 hrs and serve with your favourite topping like cream, brandy butter or whatever:notworthy:

[Diane]

I've got a pressure cooker (that I never use) -do you know what I'd have to do with the pudding in that? I presume that would cut down the steaming time, but I'm a bit clueless as to how it works!!

[Rachiegarlo]

Using a pressure cooker cuts the initial cooking time down to 4 hours. Plus on the day you can always reheat in the microwave....this recipe predates microwaves

[Diane]

Brilliant thanks for that

[andy and lindsey]

Thanks Rachel thats great could we have some more recipes (not necessarily christmas ones) please, I always like to try new things!!! Come on folks give us your favourites:)

 

Lindsey