Saturday, December 10, 2011

ANYONE HAVE A CURE FOR "TOOMUCHTODOITIS"?




I have been missing in action - sorry guys, I'm suffering from a very bad case of "waywaywaytoomuchtodoitis" which along with a chest infection has kinda floored me.  Luckily I managed to make the Christmas puddings before the malaise hit!

I have mentioned the importance of Christmas Puddings in Brownieville on a previous post - every year I make an obscene number (getting larger each year), every year I plan to pass on a couple as presents, and every year a certain person manages to demolish the lot (you are soooo mean - it's NOT me!!!).

Brownieville Man (for it is he!!) is probably the most generous person I know, he is always up first to pay the bill when we go to restaurants with friends, ditto when we go out for drinks (although we don't do that very often any more - old age?) BUT when it comes to my Christmas Puddings, he is just short of weighing them before he heads out, in case I offer some to visitors during the day!!!!!!  It is the truest demonstration of his abiding love for his sons that he allows them (almost)  free access to the pudding tin!!!

This pudding recipe comes from my paternal grandmother, via my mother, with many changes en route.  It is very, very easy - all it needs is time steaming away, and if you have a good sized steamer that holds plenty of water, you can just leave it without a thought!  Actually the shopping is the hardest part - just make sure that you use good fruit and that you don't use the tub of prechopped candied peel - it does make a difference to cut it yourself.

By the way, our resident pudding expert says that all the stuff about puddings maturing is codswallop, and the fresher the better - just in case you have some time to throw this lot together.

Finally, on Christmas day, just reheat by steaming for a couple of hours (do NOT use the micro, my Mum learned that one to her cost!!) then pour some Vodka over and set alight - enjoy the "oohs and aaaghs" - you deserve them! (Vodka gives a longer burning time than Brandy).


It tastes unbeliveably good at this stage - use good eggs and
then pick to your hearts content!!!!


Granny's Christmas Pudding

1 lb            bread crumbs - preferably made from a stale batch (or any good) loaf
1 lb            sultanas
1 lb            raisins
1/2 lb         currants
1 lb            brown sugar
1/4 lb         freshly chopped mixed peel
1/4 lb         chopped glace cherries
1/2 lb         melted butter
1/2 lb         sifted plain flour
2 tbsp        mixed spice
2 tbsp        cinnamon
1/2             nutmeg - grated
5                eggs
200 ml       Guinness (more as needed)
100ml        Whiskey
100ml         Brandy

Combine all the dry ingredients in a very large bowl, and mix.
Add the eggs, butter and alcohol and mix well - get all family members to help.  They can stir clockwise 3 times and on each turn wish for "Health" then "Wealth" and finally "Happiness"
Cover with cling film (touching the mixture) and leave to absorb the flavours for at least 24 hours.
Spoon into your pudding basins - I just use plastic ones with lids, I put some greaseproof paper on top of the mixture and then pop on the lid.
Steam (in a steamer, or in a large pot with an upturned saucer in the bottom) for 7 hours.

This recipe makes one 3lb and one 2lb pudding.

I've made 10 puddings so far - I think that there are 6 left!! But this year I have one aside to give to a wonderful friend - and "himself" will help me wrap it (metaphorically that is!!!)




 I am entering my Pudding recipe for Vanessa's Let's Make Christmas Challenge (her book is at the top of my Christmas List!)

25 comments:

Jacqueline Meldrum said...

I have never made Christmas pudding before, but you make it sound very tempting.

ps hope you feel better soon x

Unknown said...

Oh delicious looking pudding !!

Anonymous said...

I know what you mean. I feel like I can't fit everything in this holiday season. It's stressful! Your pudding looks amazing.

Manu said...

Sounds good!!
Happy you're fine!

The Cookie Jar said...

My Mother-in-Law looks after the Puddings.I have not made one in 18 years. some day I might be let.

Get better soon.

Phil in the Kitchen said...

Now that's a good pudding. Sounds similar to the recipe I used to use (although I seem to remember I added apple to the mix). I admire your stamina in making so many - I don't bother at all these days. I'm full of sympathy over the chest infection, particularly since I'm suffering in the same way.

From Beyond My Kitchen Window said...

With all that delicious alcohol I imagine it even keeps you warm. LOL This sounds amazing. I have seen pudding cans at a kitchen store before. Great recipe.

Karen S Booth said...

WE are Christmas Pudding lovers too, and I LOVE collecting old family recipes, so this has been bookmarked for another year! Thanks!
Karen

Anonymous said...

Christmas pudding is absolutely the very best part of Christmas dinner - and yours sound fantastic!! I just found your blog and it's lovely - I've signed up to follow and looking forward to lots more :)
Mary x

Jo said...

I love a good Christmas pudding and this one must be excellent before you make so many! Hope you feel better soon, chest infections are lousy :(

Ana Regalado said...

The Christmas pudding I'd eaten last year was from Marks & Spenser :P :D I know I know but 'twas really good hee hee Hope you feel better soon ;)

Unknown said...

Glad to have you back!! I'm not a huge fan of Christmas pudding but I am tempted by yours and I have all the ingredients in. I know how you feel about too much to do. Don't forget to try and squeeze in some 'me' time if you can!

Kate@whatkatebaked said...

Welcome back - and your have my sympathies, I too suffer from this most common of pre-Christmas ailments...and what a delicious looking Christmas pudding!!

Sommer said...

I freaking LOVE you! You had me cracking up the entire time! You have inspired me to try my hand at christmas pudding next christmas! I am already trying goose for the first time this year, so one european classic at a time lol. I love loved the mince pies last year so puddings have to fab as well, right?? Will bookmark this for future use- gotta love nan, right??


And thank you for your powerful words. really appreciated xoxoxo hope you are well! I suffered from toomuchtodoitis when I neglected my blog for nearly a year lol.

Unknown said...

looks delicious BVG. I hope you are feeling better soon and I know what you mean about the toomuchtodoitis. Hqave a good break over Xmas x

Javelin Warrior said...

" on each turn wish for "Health" then "Wealth" and finally "Happiness" " - I love your instructions for this pudding! It looks and sounds delicious. I mother used to make a christmas pudding with lemon sauce (which I did not care for) but I feel I may have misjudged puddings :)

Zoe said...

LOL! My family will be suffering from "toomuchtodoitis" too if I bake this pudding.

Your pudding looks awesome!

Shu Han said...

i neve rhad a christmas pudding until about a week ago at the farmer's market. i never really took a liking to those dried fruit laden christmas cakes, so i thought I wouldn't like it, but it was so wonderfully moist and boozy! it's great that you're sharing a recipe passed down from your grandmother, i love traditional hand-down recipes! this sounds great!

teresa said...

mmmm, i've always wanted to try pudding like this, it looks so fun and festive!

laura_howtocook said...

Oh I am in sympathy with you at this mad time of year. You won't believe it but I have managed to lose an amazon box worth £30 because I ordered a whole load of presses but then think I may have left some of it in the massive box they sent and put it in the recycling! Sad and annoying.
Love your pud full of booze and real whole mixed peel! Xx

Anonymous said...

this is my favorite christmas treat!! so comforting dont you think?

Rosita Vargas said...

Este rico pan es un éxito en navidad luce espectacular me encanta ,buenos augurios para navidad,abrazos hugs,hugs.

Sue/the view from great island said...

Yum! I'd love to see it alight, how festive.

Choclette said...

BVG - you are not alone. I'm feeling more stressed this Christmas than I've ever done and yet I've had more time off work in the run up to it!!! Great tip about the vodka - we always use brandy. I'll allow that your puddings are delicious and I might have to fight off BVM to try it, but no-one - I repeat no-one can beat my mother's christmas puds ;-)

Susan Lindquist said...

You are amazing to be able to do all those puddings! I make one and it's always a big production for me ... not nearly as full of fruit as yours, but still, like your recipe, so old within the family that one would never think NOT to make it at Christmastime!

I am wishing blessings and 'enough time' for you BVG! Merry Christmas and the happiest New Year yet to you and yours!