Christmas pudding

 

homemade Christmas pudding, before steaming

Christmas pudding

It will be another year of not going back to Hong Kong during winter, might as well enjoy festive food here, the household favorite is Christmas pudding. Shop bought ones are never as good as homemade and always far too sweet.

It is actually very easy to make, not much work, just get all the ingredients ready, mix well and steam, having a steam oven is wonderful.

I followed BBC good food recipe, instead of making 2 big puddings, I made 2 medium ones (4 persons) and 8 small ones (2 persons), to be served regularly over winter. This also cut down steaming time.

 

Alterations:

1. Instead of using 1kg of raisin, substituted with 1/3 raisin, 1/3 cranberry and 1/3 date, for more complex flavor.

2. Change from almond to cashew, because I don't have blanched almond on hand.

3. Instead of 2 big Bramley apples, I used crab apple jam instead, more sharp sour.

4. Steam for an hour for the small ones and 2 hours for medium size ones. When cool down, poke holes half way into the pudding and fill with brandy, cover well and can keep for a long while in cool dark place.