Fruit and spice christmas pudding

6 servings

Ingredients

QuantityIngredient
115gramsWaitrose Dried Fruit Medley; finely chopped
; (4oz)
150gramsEach of Waitrose Currants; Raisins and
; Sultanas (5 1/2 oz)
15millilitresStem ginger; finely chopped
; (1tbsp)
Juice and zest of 1 orange and 1 lime
75millilitresCalvados; (5tbsp)
115gramsButter; (4oz)
115gramsWaitrose Natural Dark Muscovado Sugar; (4oz)
10millilitresGround mixed spice; (2tsp)
5millilitresEach of ground cinnamon and ground ginger; (1tsp)
2 eggs -- (medium), beaten

Directions

~- 115 gram self raising flour -- (4oz) 100 gram fresh breadcrumbs -- (3 1/2oz)

30 milliliters milk -- (2tbsp) Mix together the dried fruit, ginger, orange and lime juice and zest, and the Calvados in a large bowl. Cover and leave overnight.

Beat the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, mix in the spices, flour and breadcrumbs. Add the beaten egg and milk, then the fruit mixture.

Grease a 1⅕ litre (2 pint) pudding basin with butter and place a small circle of greaseproof paper in the base.

Spoon the mixture into the basin to 1cm ( ½") below the rim. Cover with a double layer of greased greaseproof paper followed by a large piece of foil. Tie loosely with string so that there is room for the pudding to expand.

Place the basin in a steamer or a saucepan. Add boiling water to come two-thirds up the sides of the basin. Cover the pan with a tight-fitting lid and simmer for 4 hours (2 hours for individual puddings). Keep the water bubbling throughout and top up with extra boiling water if necessary.

Remove from the pan, leave until cool, then wrap in fresh greaseproof paper and foil. Store for up to 3 months in a cool, dry place or in the refrigerator.

Reheat by steaming the pudding for about 2 hours (1 hour for individual puddings).

Converted by MC_Buster.

NOTES : This traditional recipe, flavoured with stem ginger and Calvados makes either one large or six individual puddings, for which you will need 6 x 200ml (7fl oz) individual pudding basins.

Converted by MM_Buster v2.0l.