Steamed Plum Pudding With Plum Brandy Sauce Food

BRANDY SAUCE (FOR CHRISTMAS PUDDING AND OTHER SWEETS)

Steps:

• Whisk the egg yolks, cream and sugar in a pot over low heat. Do not stop whisking and keep the heat low so that the custard doesn't curdle. Don't worry if it does, there's an easy fix.
• Continue whisking until the mixture thickens and becomes a sauce. (If you want to serve this to young children, remove some and add a drop of vanilla.) Add the brandy to your liking, from two teaspoonfuls to two tablespoonfuls (or more), but be careful not to add too much brandy or the sauce will become too runny. I used two tablespoonfuls.
• Whisk well so that the sauce is completely smooth. Pour into a serving jug to pour over the Christmas pudding before it's cut into pieces, which makes for a beautiful presentation. However, it may be more practical to cut slices and place in bowls, then pour the sauce over the top. I'd recommend this if you won't be finishing the entire pudding in one go.

PLUM PUDDING

Steps:

• Sift together the flour, salt, baking soda and spices. Mix together the rest of the ingredients, except the egg whites, adding just the yolks. Whip the egg whites until stiff and fold into the batter. Grease a pudding mold dredged with sugar and pour in batter. Cover the mold with its lid or cover tightly with foil. Steam for 3 to 4 hours, depending on the size of your mold. Serve hot with hard sauce. If you are not serving the pudding immediately, store in the refrigerator soaking in 1 ounce of brandy. Add 1 ounce each week.
• Serve with warmed Hard Sauce.
• Cream the butter in an electric mixer until pale in color. Add the sugar and mix well. Add the flavorings and mix in then adjust, to taste.

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!

NANA'S TRADITIONAL CHRISTMAS STEAMED PLUM PUDDING WITH HARD SAUCE

Steps:

• Combine the molasses, butter, milk, and eggs in a mixing bowl. Next, combine the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and cloves in a large mixing bowl. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients in 3 additions. Toss candied fruit and raisins lightly with flour to prevent sinking and add to batter. Stir in brandy.
• Pour into a greased and sugared steam pudding mold and place on a rack in a large covered pot with water that comes halfway up the sides of the mold. Cover and steam for 2 hours, checking occasionally to make sure water hasn't boiled out. Let cool for 5 minutes on a rack before turning out. Dust with powdered sugar and serve with a sprig of holly and Hard Sauce.
• Beat all ingredients together until very well combined. Serve with pudding.