A Classic Christmas Pudding Food

CHRISTMAS PUDDING

Steps:

• The day before you want to steam the pudding: In a large bowl, thoroughly mix the suet, brown sugar, sifted flour, breadcrumbs, allspice, clove, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Gradually mix in the currants, sultanas, raisins, candied peel, and almonds, followed by the apple and citrus zests. In a small bowl, whisk together the rum, barley wine, and stout, and then beat in the eggs. Pour this mixture over the dried fruit and nut mixture. Mix thoroughly. It should be somewhat loose; if it needs a little more liquid, add some stout. Cover the bowl and refrigerate overnight.
• The following day: Butter a 1-pint pudding mold and pack the pudding mixture into it. Cover with a double piece of parchment and a sheet of foil and tie securely with a string across the top to make a handle. Place the pudding mold in a covered steamer set over a saucepan of simmering water, and steam for 8 hours. Check the water level, adding boiling water as needed. When the pudding is finished, let it cool and then remove the papers and foil. Replace with fresh paper and make a new string for easier maneuvering. Set in a cool place away from light (under the bed works well).
• To reheat, set a saucepan with boiling water over medium heat and put a steamer on top. Reduce the heat to a gentle simmer, set the pudding in the steamer, cover, and let steam for 2 1/4 hours. Top up the water a bit if necessary.
• To serve, remove the pudding from the steamer and take off the wrapping. Slide a palette knife around the pudding, and then turn it out onto a warm plate. Garnish with a sprig of holly. To flambe the pudding, warm a ladleful of brandy over direct heat, and when it is hot, carefully light the brandy. Place the flaming ladle over the pudding, but do not pour until at the table. When you do slowly pour it over the pudding, sides and all, watch it flame! Serve with rum sauce if desired.
• This recipe was provided by professional chefs and has been scaled down from a bulk recipe provided by a restaurant. The Food Network Kitchens chefs have not tested this recipe, in the proportions indicated, and therefore, we cannot make any representation as to the results.

A CLASSIC CHRISTMAS PUDDING RECIPE

Steps:

• These ingredients will make puddings to fill basins totaling 7 1/2 pints. If this is too much for your family use half quantity of all the ingredients and make 2 smaller puddings or 1 large one.
• Put the flour, breadcrumbs, salt, mixed spice, grated nutmeg and the grated rinds of the orange and lemon into a large bowl. Chop the suet and add to the dry ingredients with the sugar; mix thoroughly. Add the fruit to the dry mix together with almonds. Stir very well. Peel and core the apples, chop and add to the mixture together with the grated carrot.
• Beat the eggs and add to the pudding with the juice from the orange and lemon, the brandy and the barley wine or milk. Mix all very thoroughly and leave for 1 day, stirring occasionally. The mixture should 'squeak' when mixed - if it seems too dry, add 1 or 2 more eggs.
• Turn the mixture into greased pudding basins filling them to the brim. Seal the tops well with a flour and water paste (1 lb /450g plain flour mixed to a stiff dough with approximately 1/2 pint / 300ml) cold water, cover with greaseproof paper, tie down well and boil the puddings for 8 hours.
• Remove the greaseproof paper and flour and water paste and leave the puddings to cool. Cover with fresh greaseproof paper and store in a dry cool place. When required, boil the puddings for 2-4 hours depending on the size.
• NB: For a nice glossy Christmas pudding you can dust the greased basins with brown sugar before putting in the mixture.