I am thinking of making a Christmas Pudding this year for the first
time, and i am seeking opinions as to how far in advance you would cook
it and how long a home-made / non shop preserved would last?

thanks for any help.

alex

Alex wrote:
>
> I am thinking of making a Christmas Pudding this year for the first
> time, and i am seeking opinions as to how far in advance you would cook
> it and how long a home-made / non shop preserved would last?
>
> thanks for any help.
>
> alex

Bread pudding

1/2 pound day old white bread
2 cups whole milk

--

3/4 cup sugar for caramel

--
4 eggs
1 cup sugar
4 tbsp butter
2 tbsp dry sherry
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp almond extract

--

1/2 cup golden raisins
1/2 cup toasted almonds
1 tbsp flour

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Cut the bread into cubes and soak in the milk.

Make a caramel with the sugar. Pour into a mold with a capacity of 6 cups.

Beat the eggs with the sugar, melted butter and sherry. Add cinnamon, nutmeg,
vanilla, almond extract, the soaked bread. Powder the raisins and almonds with
the flour and add.

Pour the mixture into the mod and bake in a bain-marie for approximately two
hours or until a toothpick intdoduced in the middle comes out dry.

Let cool before unmolding. Gives 12 portions.

Variations:

Substitute the raisins with guava paste cut into small chunks. Or try quince
paste instead.

You can also add a tablespoonful or two of grated Edam cheese or a mild
cheddar.

I usually double the recipe and use a bundt cake mold. A bundt cake mold will
fit exactly into one of my aluminum pots. I cover it with aluminum foil for
about half of the baking period, punching a hole in the middle hole of the
bundt cake mold and folding the edges into the hole to make sure water does
not boil into the mold.

You can reduce the sugar to 3/4 cup and add a pinch of salt.

You don't need to worry about how long it will keep unless you plan on eating
it by yourself. It goes quickly in my family.

Translated from Cocina Criolla by Nitza Villapol. Variations are my mother's.

Thanks for that, any thoughts on how far in advance to make it? i was
thinking more from a point of view of the flavours maturing etc.

Cheers

Alex


wrote:
> Alex wrote:
>
>>I am thinking of making a Christmas Pudding this year for the first
>>time, and i am seeking opinions as to how far in advance you would cook
>>it and how long a home-made / non shop preserved would last?
>>
>>thanks for any help.
>>
>>alex
>
>
> Bread pudding
>
> 1/2 pound day old white bread
> 2 cups whole milk
>
> --
>
> 3/4 cup sugar for caramel
>
> --
> 4 eggs
> 1 cup sugar
> 4 tbsp butter
> 2 tbsp dry sherry
> 1/4 tsp nutmeg
> 1/4 tsp cinnamon
> 1/2 tsp vanilla
> 1/2 tsp almond extract
>
> --
>
> 1/2 cup golden raisins
> 1/2 cup toasted almonds
> 1 tbsp flour
>
> Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Cut the bread into cubes and soak in the milk.
>
> Make a caramel with the sugar. Pour into a mold with a capacity of 6 cups.
>
> Beat the eggs with the sugar, melted butter and sherry. Add cinnamon, nutmeg,
> vanilla, almond extract, the soaked bread. Powder the raisins and almonds with
> the flour and add.
>
> Pour the mixture into the mod and bake in a bain-marie for approximately two
> hours or until a toothpick intdoduced in the middle comes out dry.
>
> Let cool before unmolding. Gives 12 portions.
>
> Variations:
>
> Substitute the raisins with guava paste cut into small chunks. Or try quince
> paste instead.
>
> You can also add a tablespoonful or two of grated Edam cheese or a mild
> cheddar.
>
> I usually double the recipe and use a bundt cake mold. A bundt cake mold will
> fit exactly into one of my aluminum pots. I cover it with aluminum foil for
> about half of the baking period, punching a hole in the middle hole of the
> bundt cake mold and folding the edges into the hole to make sure water does
> not boil into the mold.
>
> You can reduce the sugar to 3/4 cup and add a pinch of salt.
>
> You don't need to worry about how long it will keep unless you plan on eating
> it by yourself. It goes quickly in my family.
>
> Translated from Cocina Criolla by Nitza Villapol. Variations are my mother's.

Alex wrote:
>
> Thanks for that, any thoughts on how far in advance to make it? i was
> thinking more from a point of view of the flavours maturing etc.
>
> Cheers
>
> Alex
>
> wrote:
> > Alex wrote:
> >
> >>I am thinking of making a Christmas Pudding this year for the first
> >>time, and i am seeking opinions as to how far in advance you would cook
> >>it and how long a home-made / non shop preserved would last?
> >>
> >>thanks for any help.
> >>
> >>alex
> >
> >
> > Bread pudding
> >
> > 1/2 pound day old white bread
> > 2 cups whole milk
> >
> > --
> >
> > 3/4 cup sugar for caramel
> >
> > --
> > 4 eggs
> > 1 cup sugar
> > 4 tbsp butter
> > 2 tbsp dry sherry
> > 1/4 tsp nutmeg
> > 1/4 tsp cinnamon
> > 1/2 tsp vanilla
> > 1/2 tsp almond extract
> >
> > --
> >
> > 1/2 cup golden raisins
> > 1/2 cup toasted almonds
> > 1 tbsp flour
> >
> > Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Cut the bread into cubes and soak in the milk.
> >
> > Make a caramel with the sugar. Pour into a mold with a capacity of 6 cups.
> >
> > Beat the eggs with the sugar, melted butter and sherry. Add cinnamon, nutmeg,
> > vanilla, almond extract, the soaked bread. Powder the raisins and almonds with
> > the flour and add.
> >
> > Pour the mixture into the mod and bake in a bain-marie for approximately two
> > hours or until a toothpick intdoduced in the middle comes out dry.
> >
> > Let cool before unmolding. Gives 12 portions.
> >
> > Variations:
> >
> > Substitute the raisins with guava paste cut into small chunks. Or try quince
> > paste instead.
> >
> > You can also add a tablespoonful or two of grated Edam cheese or a mild
> > cheddar.
> >
> > I usually double the recipe and use a bundt cake mold. A bundt cake mold will
> > fit exactly into one of my aluminum pots. I cover it with aluminum foil for
> > about half of the baking period, punching a hole in the middle hole of the
> > bundt cake mold and folding the edges into the hole to make sure water does
> > not boil into the mold.
> >
> > You can reduce the sugar to 3/4 cup and add a pinch of salt.
> >
> > You don't need to worry about how long it will keep unless you plan on eating
> > it by yourself. It goes quickly in my family.
> >
> > Translated from Cocina Criolla by Nitza Villapol. Variations are my mother's.

I don't think there is a need to give time for flavors to mature. The stuff is
delicious right off the mold after cooling. Moist, with a tang from the
caramel that is out of this world.

But you can make it one or two days before. Just don't unmold it or someone is
sure to grab a piece. The smell fills the house as soon as you unmold it.

Please let me know how it comes out. Maybe you can run a test before
Christmas.

Bert

wrote:

> Alex wrote:
>
>>Thanks for that, any thoughts on how far in advance to make it? i was
>>thinking more from a point of view of the flavours maturing etc.
>>
>>Cheers
>>
>>Alex
>>
wrote:
>>
>>>Alex wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>>I am thinking of making a Christmas Pudding this year for the first
>>>>time, and i am seeking opinions as to how far in advance you would cook
>>>>it and how long a home-made / non shop preserved would last?
>>>>
>>>>thanks for any help.
>>>>
>>>>alex
>>>
>>>
>>>Bread pudding
>>>
>>>1/2 pound day old white bread
>>>2 cups whole milk
>>>
>>>--
>>>
>>>3/4 cup sugar for caramel
>>>
>>>--
>>>4 eggs
>>>1 cup sugar
>>>4 tbsp butter
>>>2 tbsp dry sherry
>>>1/4 tsp nutmeg
>>>1/4 tsp cinnamon
>>>1/2 tsp vanilla
>>>1/2 tsp almond extract
>>>
>>>--
>>>
>>>1/2 cup golden raisins
>>>1/2 cup toasted almonds
>>>1 tbsp flour
>>>
>>>Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Cut the bread into cubes and soak in the milk.
>>>
>>>Make a caramel with the sugar. Pour into a mold with a capacity of 6 cups.
>>>
>>>Beat the eggs with the sugar, melted butter and sherry. Add cinnamon, nutmeg,
>>>vanilla, almond extract, the soaked bread. Powder the raisins and almonds with
>>>the flour and add.
>>>
>>>Pour the mixture into the mod and bake in a bain-marie for approximately two
>>>hours or until a toothpick intdoduced in the middle comes out dry.
>>>
>>>Let cool before unmolding. Gives 12 portions.
>>>
>>>Variations:
>>>
>>>Substitute the raisins with guava paste cut into small chunks. Or try quince
>>>paste instead.
>>>
>>>You can also add a tablespoonful or two of grated Edam cheese or a mild
>>>cheddar.
>>>
>>>I usually double the recipe and use a bundt cake mold. A bundt cake mold will
>>>fit exactly into one of my aluminum pots. I cover it with aluminum foil for
>>>about half of the baking period, punching a hole in the middle hole of the
>>>bundt cake mold and folding the edges into the hole to make sure water does
>>>not boil into the mold.
>>>
>>>You can reduce the sugar to 3/4 cup and add a pinch of salt.
>>>
>>>You don't need to worry about how long it will keep unless you plan on eating
>>>it by yourself. It goes quickly in my family.
>>>
>>>Translated from Cocina Criolla by Nitza Villapol. Variations are my mother's.
>
>
> I don't think there is a need to give time for flavors to mature. The stuff is
> delicious right off the mold after cooling. Moist, with a tang from the
> caramel that is out of this world.
>
> But you can make it one or two days before. Just don't unmold it or someone is
> sure to grab a piece. The smell fills the house as soon as you unmold it.
>
> Please let me know how it comes out. Maybe you can run a test before
> Christmas.
>
> Bert

many thanks

i doubt i will have the time to do a test run, i am working up to the 23rd.

i have one question and one variation request.

Is there an actual measurement in metric (or imperial) as i don't know
about using cup, sorry a post decimalization Englishman!!

And i will only be making for adults so was thinking about a little
touch of cointreau, can you suggest any variation on the recipe as
you've been a good salesman so far!!

Thanks again.

Alex wrote:
>
> wrote:
>
> > Alex wrote:
> >
> >>Thanks for that, any thoughts on how far in advance to make it? i was
> >>thinking more from a point of view of the flavours maturing etc.
> >>
> >>Cheers
> >>
> >>Alex
> >>
> wrote:
> >>
> >>>Alex wrote:
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>>I am thinking of making a Christmas Pudding this year for the first
> >>>>time, and i am seeking opinions as to how far in advance you would cook
> >>>>it and how long a home-made / non shop preserved would last?
> >>>>
> >>>>thanks for any help.
> >>>>
> >>>>alex
> >>>
> >>>

<snip>

>>>Translated from Cocina Criolla by Nitza Villapol. Variations are my mother's.
> >
> >
> > I don't think there is a need to give time for flavors to mature. The stuff is
> > delicious right off the mold after cooling. Moist, with a tang from the
> > caramel that is out of this world.
> >
> > But you can make it one or two days before. Just don't unmold it or someone is
> > sure to grab a piece. The smell fills the house as soon as you unmold it.
> >
> > Please let me know how it comes out. Maybe you can run a test before
> > Christmas.
> >
> > Bert
>
> many thanks
>
> i doubt i will have the time to do a test run, i am working up to the 23rd.
>
> i have one question and one variation request.
>
> Is there an actual measurement in metric (or imperial) as i don't know
> about using cup, sorry a post decimalization Englishman!!
>
> And i will only be making for adults so was thinking about a little
> touch of cointreau, can you suggest any variation on the recipe as
> you've been a good salesman so far!!
>
> Thanks again.

One cup = 237 ml. But I doubt it will make much difference if you use 250 ml.
Funny, there has been a "lively" discussion on measurements in the
rec.food.sourdough newsgroup.

As to your question on cointreau I would suggest you don't. The recipe as I
posted it has a distinctive almond aroma and taste that might conflict with
the orange flavor of the cointreau. If you want to do that I would omit the
almond extract. The same for substituting the almonds with some other nuts.

If you do make the substitution I would love to hear about it.

Bert

"Alex" > wrote in message
...
> I am thinking of making a Christmas Pudding this year for the first
> time, and i am seeking opinions as to how far in advance you would cook
> it and how long a home-made / non shop preserved would last?
>
> thanks for any help.
>
> alex

Here is what I know as Christmas pudding, known in the US as plum pudding.
As you can see, they are often made as much as a month before Christmas. I
know my mother did. My grandmother would load them up with silver charms -
you had to eat it carefully, or you'd break a tooth!!

Dora

Christmas Pudding
Plum pudding only took on its connections with Christmas when it was
introduced to the Victorians by Prince Albert. Burying a silver coin in the
pudding mixture is said to bring good fortune to whoever finds it in their
portion and all the family should make a wish while stirring the mixture on
Stir Up Sunday, the Sunday before Advent.

Plain flour - 110g (4 oz)
Ground mixed spice - ½ tsp
Grated nutmeg - ¼ tsp
Fresh breadcrumbs - 225g (8 oz)
Shredded suet - 275g (10 oz)
Soft brown sugar - 225g (8 oz)
Raisins - 350g (12 oz)
Sultanas - 350g (12 oz)
Mixed peel - 50g (2 oz), chopped
Walnuts or blanched almonds - 50g (2 oz)
Orange - 1 small, zest only
Eggs - 4, beaten
Brandy or dry sherry - 50ml (2 fl oz)
Almond essence - ½ tsp
Milk - 150 ml (¼ pint)



Sift flour, spice and nutmeg into a large bowl. Add breadcrumbs, suet,
sugar, raisins, sultanas, peel, nuts and orange zest. Mix well.

Combine the mix with the eggs, brandy or sherry, almond essence and milk.

Divide the mixture between two greased 1.1 litre (2 pint) pudding basins.
Cover with buttered greaseproof paper or foil. Pleat once to allow the
pudding to rise.

Secure with string. Use extra string to make a handle for ease of removal.
Place in a steamer over a pan of boiling water and cover. Steam steadily for
6 hours, replacing the water as it boils away.

Remove from the steamer, leave until cold. Cover with foil. Store in a cool
place.

To serve: cover and steam for 2 hours. Turn out on to a warm dish. Serve
with brandy butter, fresh cream or custard.

Makes 2 - each serves 8.

Source: Helen's Internet Book of British Cooking

Alex wrote:
>
> I am thinking of making a Christmas Pudding this year for the first
> time, and i am seeking opinions as to how far in advance you would cook
> it and how long a home-made / non shop preserved would last?
>
> thanks for any help.
>
> alex

Ah you are already too late. It should be made in late November (the
Sunday before Advent, also known as 'Stir up Sunday') to mature for
Christmas.
Puds are pretty indestructible when made correctly! They are boiled or
steamed for several hours at the making. Then they are steamed for a
couple of hours on the day of serving.

Alex saw Sally selling seashells by the seashore and told us all about
it on Fri, 12 Dec 2003 16:03:54 +0000:

>I am thinking of making a Christmas Pudding this year for the first
>time, and i am seeking opinions as to how far in advance you would cook
>it and how long a home-made / non shop preserved would last?

Do you want a traditional plumpudding?

(huggles)

~Karen AKA Kajikit

Nobody outstubborns a cat...

Visit my webpage: http://www.kajikitscorner.com
Allergyfree Eating Recipe Swap: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Allergyfree_Eating
Ample Aussies Mailing List: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ampleaussies/

I spent most of my day making a plum pudding. I couldn't find a place
to by the fresh suet, so I used lard for the first time. I hope it will
be okay. It looks pretty, because I had a standard 2 qt. mold. I put
some glace' cherries and roasted pecans at the base. Once it was cooled
a bit, I wrapped it in cheese cloth and saturated it with a French
brandy. Tomorrow I will sample the small one I made from the same
batch, which I steamed in a cocoa tin. I plan to take the large one to
a friend's party next week. Of course, it will be ritually flambed and
accompanied with a lemon hard sauce and or, vanilla custard.

Just a Jeanie

"limey" > wrote in message >...
> "Alex" > wrote in message
> ...
> > I am thinking of making a Christmas Pudding this year for the first
> > time, and i am seeking opinions as to how far in advance you would cook
> > it and how long a home-made / non shop preserved would last?
> >
> > thanks for any help.
> >
> > alex
>
> Here is what I know as Christmas pudding, known in the US as plum pudding.
> As you can see, they are often made as much as a month before Christmas. I
> know my mother did. My grandmother would load them up with silver charms -
> you had to eat it carefully, or you'd break a tooth!!
>
> Dora
>
> Christmas Pudding

<delicious recipe snipped>

Dora,

Do you know of any source for shredded suet in the US? Pesonally, I
cannot think of any other fat that makes for a good substitute, not
only for Christmas pudding but for mince pies as well.

Thank you,
Wayne

"Jean Clarke" > wrote in message
...
> I spent most of my day making a plum pudding. I couldn't find a place
> to by the fresh suet, so I used lard for the first time. I hope it will
> be okay. It looks pretty, because I had a standard 2 qt. mold. I put
> some glace' cherries and roasted pecans at the base. Once it was cooled
> a bit, I wrapped it in cheese cloth and saturated it with a French
> brandy. Tomorrow I will sample the small one I made from the same
> batch, which I steamed in a cocoa tin. I plan to take the large one to
> a friend's party next week. Of course, it will be ritually flambed and
> accompanied with a lemon hard sauce and or, vanilla custard.
>
> Just a Jeanie
>
You could ask a butcher for some of the fat surrounding the beef kidney and
grate it yourself.