Christmas Pudding - take it or leave it?

[humbersloop]

Did you make yours by Easter at the latest, or will you be in the scrum at Waitrose if Heston's doing one again this year? Or Aldi, if you've got any sense

Brandy butter, ice cream or cream? Leftovers fried or eaten cold??

Recipes welcome, tia.

[LazyGun]

I have no enthusiasm for xmas pud at all. Too heavy by far :)

[Eve]

My nan used to make them though mum now buys microwave ones. I'm not that big on it (though won't touch Christmas cake or fruit cake in general) though I'll have it with loads of brandy sauce on, I love brandy sauce!

[guilliebrougues]

I Think we will be having home made sticky toffee pudding instead.

[humbersloop]

not many recipes forthcoming here though folk - have we lost the knack?

[Barmaid]

sugar - when is "Stir up Sunday", I was meant to do all our Christmas puds this year. Crap.

[DTCwordfan]

It's a sloopy special!

Count me in big time, just like Christmas Cake.........mmmmmmmmmmmm. brandy butter, brandy, leftovers reheated and cream, preferably a mix of double and Cornish Clotted.

[DTCwordfan]

(Homemade as well).

[Caribeing]

Wasn't referring to faggots as a Christmas delicacy just mentioned it as a food hate along with Christmas Pud

[DTCwordfan]

Nigel Slater's adapted

350 g sultanas
350 g raisins, or currants
150 g dried figs, chopped
150g dates, chopped
125 g mixed candied peel, chopped
100 g dried apricots, chopped
75 g dark glacé cherries, halved
150 ml Armagnac, plus some for flaming
2 apples, or quince
2 oranges, juice and zest, slug in a little Cointreau
6 eggs
250 g shredded suet
350 g soft muscovado sugar
250 g fresh breadcrumbs
175 g self-raising flour
1 tsp mixed spice


Method
1. You will need two 1.5 litre plastic pudding basins and lids, buttered, two old sixpences or two pound coins, scrupulously scrubbed, two circles of greaseproof paper, buttered, large enough to cover the top of each pudding, with a single pleat folded down the centre of each.

2. Soak the sultanas, raisins or currants, figs, candied peel, apricots and cherries in the Armagnac overnight. The liquid won't cover the fruit but no matter; just give it a good stir now and again.

3. Mix the grated apples, orange juice and zest, beaten eggs, suet, sugar, crumbs and flour in a very large mixing bowl, then stir in the soaked fruit, the Cointreau and the spice - even a hint of chilli if you wish. Yes!

Divide the mixture between the buttered pudding basins, tucking the coins in as you go. Cover with the greaseproof paper, folded with a pleat in the centre.

4. Pop the lids on and steam for three and a half hours. Allow the puddings to cool, then remove the greaseproof paper, cover tightly with clingfilm and the plastic lid and store in a cool, dry place till Christmas.

5. To reheat: steam the puddings for a further three and a half hours. Turn out and flame with brandy or Armagnac.......

[humbersloop]

I know you weren't mary, no worries :)

dunno BM, I miss it regularly

yep dt x ;) stay with me.

Leftovers fried, served in filo pastry and cream anyone

[DTCwordfan]

If the pud is really good, you don't need that covering, sloopy......however, if a crap one, then yes.

[woofgang]

barf urgh no. I loathe christmas pudding.

[humbersloop]

No, you don't I'll grant you, but I'm a pig for filo, sweet or savoury. It's just that little bit of mmmpeh! in your mouth with christmas pud


careful, this can't turn serious

[DTCwordfan]

then so be it, the sponsor is always right; well, most of the time.

[DaisyNonna]

Leave it. Fresh fruit salad please.

[cazzz1975]

I used to buy them, not use them, then bin them

I dont buy them anymore ;)

[wardlaw]

Definitely LEAVE IT!!!!!Bold underlined!

[chaptazbru]

Not a great fan of Christmas pud, but for some reason Dad thinks I love it and always plonks a big dollop of it in front of me covered in custard, so I eat it to please him - no harm done - love you Dad xxx All part of Christmas to me.

[tonyav]

I don't like it, never have done, the missus likes though.

[vodkancoke]

I made mine last weekend. I hate it but the family always request it. We have loads of desserts at Christmas, I'm surprised they have room for it!