Christmas pudding - england - victoria 12/95

6 servings

Ingredients

Quantity Ingredient
2 cups Raisins
1 cup Sultanas
1 cup Currants
1 cup Guiness extra stout (ale)
⅔ cup Mixed candied peel
¼ cup Almonds; blanched, finely chopped
8 tablespoons Solid shortening, suet, or unsalted butter
¼ cup Fine, dry breadcrumbs
2 eaches Sticks unsalted butter; softened
1¼ cup Confectioners' sugar; sifted
1 cup All-purpose flour
¼ teaspoon Freshly grated nutmeg
¼ teaspoon Ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon Ground allspice
½ cup Dark brown sugar; firmly packed
2 larges Eggs; lightly beaten
1 pinch Salt
Hard sauce
3 tablespoons To 4 tb brandy
1 tablespoon Orange juice
2 teaspoons Orange rind; grated (opt'l)

Directions

HARD SAUCE

In a nonreactive bowl combine the dried fruit and Guinness, stir to combine, and let sit, covered, overnight.

Butter well a 1-½ quart pudding mold or heatproof bowl.

In a large bowl, combine the macerated fruit with the almonds, sugar, flour, and spices.

In another bowl, combine the bread crumbs, shortening, eggs, and a pinch of salt. Add to the fruit mixture and stir to combine well.

Spoon the batter into the prepared mold or bowl, cover with the lid or a double layer of buttered aluminum foil, and tie with kitchen string.

Place the mold or bowl on a rack set in a deep pan, add enough hot water to come halfway up the sides of the mold, and steam pudding, covered, for 1-½ hours.

Let the pudding cool to warm and unmold. Ideally, if time permits, store in mold or bowl for approximately 4 months to allow the pudding to mature. Reheat by steaming for another hour. Serve with Hard Sauce. Yield: 6 to 8 servings.

Hard Sauce:

In a bowl with an electric mixer beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the brandy, a little at a time. Beat in the orange juice and rind. Transfer to a serving dish. Sauce may be chilled, covered. Bring to room temperature before serving.

Yield: 1 cup.

_Merry Old England Awaits_ "Victoria" magazine, December, 1995.

Recipes from Michael's Nook, Grasmere, in the Lake District of England. Typos by Jeff Pruett.

Submitted By JEFF PRUETT On 11-30-95

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