My Moms Plum Brandy Food

PLUM BRANDY RECIPE

Steps:

• Pierce 450g (1lb) firm plums all over with a skewer or knife and put into a large bowl with 300g (11oz) golden caster sugar, 1 litre (13⁄4 pints) brandy and 1 cinnamon stick. Stir to dissolve the sugar.
• Cover with clingfilm and leave to infuse in a cool, dark place for at least one month and up to three months. Strain through a sieve lined with kitchen paper and use a funnel to pour into sterilised glass bottles.

MY MOM'S PLUM BRANDY

Steps:

• Rinse the plums (do not scrub away the white bloom) and cut out the pits.
• Place in a large crock or one or more large jars.
• Pour in as much of the sugar as the container can hold.
• Cover loosely (I believe the traditional cover is several layers of cheesecloth but I've done fine with a regular lid that is left unscrewed) and let it ferment at room temperature for six weeks.
• As the mixture liquefies keep adding sugar until it is used up.
• Strain the liquid (reserving the pulp) and mix it with the whiskey and bottle it up.
• My mother always uses a cheap whiskey and allowed the mixture to age in the bottle for many months.
• However, using a good whiskey makes it drinkable right away--especially important for the first batch.
• It keeps indefinitely--if you make enough.

STEAMED PLUM PUDDING WITH PLUM BRANDY SAUCE

Steps:

• In a small saucepan simmer the 2 1/2 c plums and juice for 6 - 8 minutes over low-moderate heat. Cool, remove the pits from the plums and discard the pits. Drain the plums, reserving the juice (for the sauce) and chop into 1/4-inch pieces.
• In a mixing bowl beat the brown sugar and melted butter together. Add the eggs, beating in well and blend in the plums. In another bowl sift together the flour, salt, and soda and add to the plum mixture, stirring gently. Generously butter a 1 1/2 quart mold with a cover. Pour the better into the mold. Cover the mold with the top or foil and place on a rack in a large kettle. Fill the kettle with water to reach halfway up the side of the mold. Cover the kettle and bring to a simmer over low heat. Steam for one hour.
• Remove the steamed mold from the kettle, uncover and place place in a 400 degree oven for 2 - 3 minutes to dry the top slightly. Cool the pudding for a few minutes unmold onto a warm serving plate.
• Warm the cognac in a small saucepan. Remove from heat, ignite, and pour over the pudding. Bring the flaming pudding to the table accompanied by plum Brandy Sauce.
• To prepare the sauce, in a small saucepan combine the 1 cup plum juice, the granulated sugar, nutmeg, cinnamon, and cornstarch. Mix well and bring to a simmer over low heat, stirring constantly until slightly thickened. Remove from heat and blend in cognac, lemon juice and 1 tablespoon butter. Serve warm with plum pudding.
• Note: This pudding may be prepared 2 - 3 days in advance, wrapped tightly and refrigerated. If this is the case, before serving steam again in the mold for about 1 hour. This is really a delicious and festive holiday dessert -- give it a try!