Easy Christmas Pudding Without The Rum Food

EASY CHRISTMAS PUDDING (WITHOUT THE RUM)

Steps:

• Put 3 tablespoons of the butter into the bowl of a stand mixer. Add the remaining ingredients, except crème fraîche, and mix very well into a loose, chunky batter. Let it rest for a few hours, or refrigerate overnight.
• Thickly grease a ceramic bowl with the remaining butter. Line the bottom of the bowl with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Spoon in the batter.
• Cut 2 circles of parchment to fit the top and rest them on the batter. Cook the pudding in a microwave oven, preferably at medium power, for 8 minutes. Insert a skewer or tester into the center. If batter is still wet, continue cooking, 1 minute at a time, until just done.
• Turn onto a plate. Serve slices with crème fraîche or heavy cream.

RUM SAUCE

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients, except rum& flavouring in a heavy pot.
• Bring to a boil to melt butter& combine well; remove from heat.
• Stir in rum& flavouring; refrigerate in a covered container.

THE ULTIMATE ENGLISH CHRISTMAS PUDDING

Steps:

• Lightly butter a 1.4-litre (21/2-pint) pudding basin.
• Cut a small square of foil and press into the base of the basin.
• Measure the sultanas, raisins, apricots and apple into a bowl with the orange juice.
• Add the measured brandy or rum and leave to marinate for about one hour.
• Put the measured butter, sugar and grated orange rind into a large bowl and cream together with a wooden spoon or a hand-held electric whisk until light and fluffy, gradually beat in the eggs, adding a little flour if the mixture starts to curdle.
• Sift together the flour and mixed spice, then fold into the creamed mixture with the breadcrumbs and the nuts.
• Add the dried fruits, apple and liquid and stir well.
• Spoon into the prepared pudding basin, pressing the mixture down, and level the top with the back of a spoon.
• Cover the pudding with a layer of greaseproof paper and foil, both pleated across the middle to allow for expansion.
• Tie securely with string and trim off excess paper and foil with scissors***.
• TO STEAM, put the pudding in the top of a steamer filled with simmering water, cover with a lid and steam for about eight hours, topping up the water as necessary.
• TO BOIL, put a metal jam-jar lid into the base of a large pan to act as a trivet. Put the pudding on to this and pour in enough boiling water to come one-third of the way up the bowl. Cover with a lid, bring the water back to the boil, then simmer for about seven hours, until the pudding is a glorious deep brown colour, topping up the water as necessary.
• Remove the pudding from the steamer or pan and cool completely.
• Make holes in the pudding with a fine skewer and pour in a little more brandy or rum to feed.
• Discard the paper and foil and replace with fresh. Store in a cool, dry place.
• On Christmas Day, steam or boil the pudding for about an hour to reheat. Turn the pudding on to a serving plate.
• To flame, warm 3-4 tablespoons brandy or rum in a small pan, pour it over the hot pudding and set light to it.
• Serve with Rum Sauce or Brandy Butter.