This is really spicy folks! so spicy in fact that one may wonder that it is classified as a dessert.
I love it. Haven't had it in years and years. But I did have the true genuine article back when I lived in London and one of my roommates was a genuine farmers daughter who took me back home over the Christmas Holidays and I lived through the whole preparation, the baking and everything. Absolutely wonderful memories. Not that the Christmas Pudding was prepared while I was there, that had already been done because I think it has to wait for a while in order to become really good.
And please don't forget the Brandy Butter (or Hard Sauce, as they also call it) if you decide to make this. That is the crowning glory of the whole thing. And also, you should put a coin inside the pudding while you make it, and whoever gets that coin will have extra good luck next year, it is said. However, do give a warning as you serve it so that people do not break their teeth. :-D
INGREDIENTS
| - 1 cup (150 grams) dried currants
- 3/4 cup (120 grams) raisins
- 3/4 cup (120 grams) golden raisins/sultanas
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped candied orange peel
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped candied lemon peel
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped walnuts or almonds
- 1/2 cup brandy
- 2 cups (150 grams) fresh white breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup (70 grams) all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
| | - 1 teaspoon mixed spice
- homemade mixed spice
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 4 ounces (115 grams) butter
- 1 cup (165 grams) packed dark brown sugar
- 2 large eggs , lightly beaten
- one small apple , peeled, cored, and grated
- 1 tablespoon black treacle or molasses
- zest of one lemon
- zest of one small orange
- Hard Sauce , for serving
|
INSTRUCTIONS
- Place the raisins, sultanas, currants, almonds, and candied citrus peel in a bowl. Pour the brandy over and stir to combine the mixture. Cover and let sit overnight to allow the brandy to fully penetrate the fruit.
- The next day, place the breadcrumbs, flour, baking powder, brown sugar, and spices in a bowl and stir to combine.
- In another bowl add the soaked dried fruit mixture, grated apple, black treacle, suet, lemon and orange zest, and egg. Stir to combine.
- Add the dry mixture to the fruit mixture and stir to thoroughly combine it. It will be thick and sticky.
- Generously butter your pudding mold (2 liter/3.5 pints mold) and scoop the batter into the mold, pressing down and smoothing the top.
- Cut a circle out of parchment paper the same diameter as the top of the pudding mold. Lightly butter the paper and place it, butter side down, on top of the batter. Next tear off two more pieces of parchment paper large enough to cover the to of the pudding mold and partially down the sides of the mold. If your pudding mold is small and the batter comes to the top of it, fold a pleat in the center of the parchment papers to allow room for expansion as the pudding cooks. Trim off excess paper.
- Secure the paper by folding down the sides and tying securely with a string (to make it easier you can secure it first with a rubber band while you're tying it and then remove the rubber band). Note: If your mold comes with a lid as mine does, I still like to adda layer of parchment paper before securing the lid.
- Bring a large pot of water to a very low simmer. Place a folded cloth or trivet on the bottom of the pot to prevent the pudding mold from coming in direct contact with the pot in order to prevent scorching.
- Lower the pudding mold down into the water on top of the folded cloth. The water level should come up to the halfway point of the pudding mold. Cover the pot with the lid.
- Steam the pudding over very low heat for approximately 8 hours. Check periodically to ensure the water level is still at the halfway point and add more water as needed.
- The longer the pudding steams the darker in color it will become.
- When the pudding is done steaming, carefully lift out the pudding mold and let it sit for 5 minutes. Then invert the pudding on a plate. Let it sit until the pudding slides out onto the plate. Let the pudding cool completely.
- To store, remove the parchment paper and wrap the pudding with clean parchment paper followed by aluminum foil. Wrap tightly. Store it in a cool, dark place, preferably a basement. If you do not have a cool, dark environment in your home you can keep it in the fridge but make sure it is tightly wrapped in two layers of plastic wrap and some aluminum foil to prevent it from drying out.
- Follow these same guidelines along with placing the pudding in a ziplock freezer bag to freeze the pudding.
- When you're ready to serve the pudding you will need to reheat it either by re-steaming it for 30-60 minutes or until heated through or you can also microwave it in a microwave safe container to keep the moisture in.
- You can light the pudding on fire just before serving (see blog post section on how to light a pudding) and then serve with Hard Sauce (i.e., brandy butter) or powdered sugar, whipped cream, vanilla custard, ice cream, or lemon sauce.
HARD SAUCE INGREDIENTS | - 1/2 cup (110 grams) unsalted butter, softened but not liquid1
- 1/2 cups (180 grams) powdered sugar
| | - 2 tablespoons brandy
- 1/2 teaspoon quality pure vanilla extract
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INSTRUCTIONS
- Place the softened butter in a medium mixing bowl and beat for several minutes until pale and fluffy.
- Add the sugar and continue to beat until smooth. Avoid over-beating otherwise the brandy butter will become oily.
- Add the brandy one tablespoon at a time, beating between additions, along with the vanilla. Beat just until combined.
- Cover and refrigerate the hard sauce for at least two hours before serving, preferably overnight or maximum flavor. Remove it from the fridge at least a couple of hours before serving so it can come to room temp. The texture should be soft and spreadable. To store it keep it in the fridge where it will last for several months.
Shamelessly filched from:
Thank you Daring Gourmet! :-)
Images: Unsplash and Freepik.
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