Sarah CB Posted December 22, 2008 Share Posted December 22, 2008 We received a lovely gift basket full of English goodies. One box in the basket said "Christmas Pudding" on it. I was thinking that probably meant the fruit cake thing and I stuck it in the cupboard thinking we likely would not get around to eating it. Then I saw one in the store today, same brand, for $25! I don't think I can leave a $25 dessert in the cupboard - I should probably eat it, right? Is it good? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KJB Posted December 22, 2008 Share Posted December 22, 2008 We always have plum pudding and mince pie both! Many people find the taste a little strong. You can add brandy sauce to give it an added zing. It also keeps forever and ever so don't feel like you have to eat it right away. It'll be good next Christmas, too, if you don't get to it! :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LBC Posted December 22, 2008 Share Posted December 22, 2008 Well, I'm half English, so I grew up with this traditional Christmas dessert. The thing to do with this is heat it in a way that allows it to stay moist, and then serve it with hard sauce. The hard sauce is something I've never made, but it's basically icing with rum in it. There are probably recipes online. I don't like the taste of rum, so my mom used to make one with rum, and one without. Hmm... maybe it's not an English dessert. My mom's mom made it too, and she's Irish/German. I don't make this, since my family hates it, but my mouth is watering just thinking about it right now! I miss the Christmases where my grandparents and parents did all the cooking, and I did all the eating.:sad: Lori Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura Corin Posted December 22, 2008 Share Posted December 22, 2008 It's stuffed with dried fruit, but is moist, not dry. It may also be imbued with brandy. Traditionally it is served with brandy butter, but I like it with plain cream, as it is sweet enough on its own. Laura Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BritAnnia Posted December 22, 2008 Share Posted December 22, 2008 :iagree: The very best way to enjoy Christmas pud is with cream. Amazingly rich and delicious. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blessedfamily Posted December 22, 2008 Share Posted December 22, 2008 No thank you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hornblower Posted December 22, 2008 Share Posted December 22, 2008 Yum! Heat & eat. I find the key is to keep the portions small. It is very rich. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janet in Toronto Posted December 22, 2008 Share Posted December 22, 2008 I **love** Christmas pudding. We steam ours...it's made in a ceramic bowl, so we cover it with some waxed paper and tie it on with a string or elastic. Then sit it in a pot of boiling water with a rack in the bottom and cover. Steam for a few minutes. I'm not sure what kind of container yours is in, but you get the idea! We serve it with either English custard (Bird's is a nice custard powder) or lemon sauce (something like this). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarah CB Posted December 23, 2008 Author Share Posted December 23, 2008 Well, this is turning out to be more exciting than I thought. Ours is in an "earthenware basin with cloth" and I had no idea it even needed to be warmed; now I know - thanks! And that's what that bottle of Hard Sauce is for! We'll have whipped cream for the pumpkin pie so we'll be able to eat it with hard sauce or with cream. I'm actually looking forward to getting into this pudding now. LBC - you're welcome to come over for a piece :001_smile: We've got some fantastic sledding and skating happening over here, too - it would be fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lady_Dulcinea Posted December 23, 2008 Share Posted December 23, 2008 What store did you see it in? My good friend keeps trying to find one for her DH who is English. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarah CB Posted December 23, 2008 Author Share Posted December 23, 2008 What store did you see it in? My good friend keeps trying to find one for her DH who is English. It was in London Drugs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BritAnnia Posted December 23, 2008 Share Posted December 23, 2008 I've seen them at World Market stores and most British import stores stock them for Christmas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LBC Posted December 23, 2008 Share Posted December 23, 2008 LBC - you're welcome to come over for a piece :001_smile: We've got some fantastic sledding and skating happening over here, too - it would be fun. That sounds like fun! We're long overdue for a visit. Maybe we'll wait until it warms up a bit, though. Brrrr! Is your lake frozen? Are you able to skate on it? The kids and I are going skiing tomorrow, and it's going to be cold up there! Lori Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elizabeth Posted December 23, 2008 Share Posted December 23, 2008 She has since moved back to the UK but two years ago for our Christmas dinner she shared a pudding that had been drenched in whisky daily then covered in cheesecloth. She heated it in the oven ,poured brandy over it and then flamed at the table proceeding to serve with heavy cream. I miss her so very much. She actually lived in Jiddah (sp?)Saudi Arabia for part of the year teaching art(no human figures as it was a Muslim school) and then spent a month here in the US with inlaws and then a stint in UK .Finally, she has been able to retire and runs a pub in England with her dh. In any event that pudding was a force to be reckoned with . I was intoxicated from the fumes alone. Good woman that one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hornblower Posted December 23, 2008 Share Posted December 23, 2008 Yes, I set the pudding on fire too :-) It's fun to turn out the lights & bring a flaming pudding in during Christmas dinner. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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