Traditional Christmas Pudding
Preparation 45 Minutes
Cook 4 hour, REHEATING: 1 ½ HRS Minutes
Serves 8-10
Method
- Combine the fruit, brandy, rind and apple in a microwave safe bowl and mix well. Cover then microwave on 100% power for 2-3 minutes or until plumped. Allow to cool.
- Cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Gradually add the egg, beating well between each addition. Fold in the sifted flour and spices, fruit mixture, breadcrumbs and almonds, mix well.
- Spoon the mixture into a greased and base paper lined 2 litre capacity pudding basin. Cover with a tight-fitting lid. Place on an upturned saucer in the base of a large saucepan or boiler. Pour boiling water into the saucepan so that is comes halfway up the sides of the basin. Cover the saucepan with a tight-fitting lid and steam for 4 hours, topping up water every 20-30 minutes or as required.
- Remove from the basin onto a serving plate, flambé with a little brandy if desired then slice and serve with custard or ice-cream.
NB: If you do not have a lid for your basin: Cover with a greased double layer of foil and baking paper, create a deep pleat in the centre for expansion. Place over the basin and secure tightly with string. Trim the cover if necessary.
If you do not intend on using the pudding immediately, keep the cover intact and store in the fridge until required. Re- steam for 1 1/2 hours when required.
Ingredients
375g pkt SUNBEAM Mixed Dried Fruit
100g ANGAS PARK Medjool Dates, finely chopped
100g ANGAS PARK Dried Figs, finely chopped
1/2 cup brandy or rum
2 tsps grated lemon rind
2 tsps grated orange rind
1 green apple, grated
250g butter, softened
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
¼ cup maple or golden syrup
4 eggs, lightly beaten
1 cup self raising flour
2 tsps mixed spice
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg
2 ½ cups soft white breadcrumbs
110g whole blanched almonds
Brandy, extra for flambéing, if desired
Custard or Ice cream for serving
Recipe Collection
Zucchini Salad
Cut the zucchini into long, thin ribbons using a mandolin or vegetable peeler.
Whisk together lemon juice and olive oil, season. Pour over the zucchini, gently toss to combine then allow to sit for 10 mins to marinate.
Drain zucchini and arrange on a serving platter. Sprinkle over pine nuts, sultanas, raisins and feta. Scatter over mint leaves just before serving.
Chocolate Caramel Tart
Preheat oven to 180C/160C fan-forced. In a large bowl add Sunbeam Almond Meal, sugar the butter and egg and combine until a breadcrumb texture. Spoon into a greased 23cm (base measurement) fluted loose base tart tin. Press mixture to line the base and sides of the tin. Making sure you have made even base and sides, the palm of your hand for the base. Freeze for 15 minutes. Place the tart shell on a baking tray and bake for 25 – 30 minutes or until golden. Set aside to cool.
Combine the Nestle Sweetened Condensed Milk, golden syrup and half the extra butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, for 5-7 minutes or until golden in colour and caramel thickens. Remove from heat and immediately pour into the pastry case. Use a small palette knife to smooth the surface.
Place the chocolate, cream and remaining extra butter in a heatproof bowl over a saucepan half-filled with simmering water and stir with a metal spoon for 5 minutes or until chocolate melts and mixture is glossy. Pour over the caramel and use the back of a spoon to smooth the surface. Set aside for 30 minutes to set.
Toast almond in moderate oven for 10mins then roughly blitz to make nut sprinkles to decorate, add gold leaf & fresh berries. Cut into wedges to serve.
Note: Packets of edible gold leaf are available from the baking aisle. Use tweezers to arrange pieces of
Frozen Cheescake Pudding
Place Mixed Fruits & dried cranberries and brandy in a bowl. Set aside for 20 minutes to soak.
Line an 8-cup-capacity metal pudding basin with plastic wrap.
Using an electric mixer, beat cream cheese for 5 minutes or until light and fluffy. Add ice-cream. Beat until well combined. Fold in fruit mince, pistachios and cranberry sultana mixture. Pour mixture into prepared basin. Freeze for 30 minutes.
Place biscuits & Sunbeam almonds in a food processor. Process until fine crumbs form. Add butter. Process until combined. Spoon over top of ice-cream, pressing with the back of a spoon to level and compact (see notes). Cover with plastic wrap. Freeze overnight.
Turn pudding onto a serving plate. Carefully remove plastic wrap. Drizzle with chocolate topping.
Decorate with Raspberries, Strawberries and Mint. Serve immediately.
Pumpkin Feta Scones
Pre-heat oven to 220°C (200°C fan-forced).
- Place flour, allspice and butter in the bowl of a food processor and pulse until it resembles fresh breadcrumbs. Remove to a bowl and fold in feta and currants.
- Fork whisk together the pumpkin and milk. Add to flour mixture and combine until mixture just comes together. Tip onto a lightly floured surface and bring together, knead lightly and press out to a 2cm thickness.
- Using a floured 6cm scone cutter cut out scones, placing them onto a lightly floured oven tray. Brush lightly with milk and sprinkle with almonds. Bake for approx. 15 minutes until golden on the base. Allow to cool on a wire rack. Serve with a spread of butter.
Apricot & Sunmuscat Sultana Bread & Butter Pudding
Cut bread into 3 cm cubes. Layer bread and sultanas over base of a 2 litre baking dish, drizzle with 2 Tbsp of the melted butter, and toss gently.
In a bowl or large jug, whisk eggs until smooth. Add jam, milk, 1/3 cup sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and vanilla to the jug. Whisk again until all ingredients are well incorporated.
Pour egg mixture over bread cubes. Gently press with a spoon to submerge the bread in the liquid. Set aside for 15 mins while oven preheats.
Preheat oven to 200°C. Drizzle pudding with remaining 1 Tbsp butter and extra 1 Tbsp sugar.
Bake for 35 – 40 minutes, or until top is golden and puffed, but still just-wobbly in the centre. Cover loosely with foil in the last 15 minutes, if browning too quickly.
Cool 10 mins before cutting. Serve warm or at room temperature, with custard and fresh berries.
Tips
Milk and butter can be substituted with diary free versions if preferred.
Apricot jam can be substituted with orange marmalade.
If bread is fresh, leave on bench for an hour or two once diced, to dry out slightly.
Baked Spiced Cauliflower Salad
- Pre-heat oven to 180°C (160°C fan-forced). Trim cauliflower, cut into florets and place in a large mixing bowl.
- Combine seeds and spices with the oil and pour over cauliflower. Mix well with your hands to ensure even coating. Tip into a single layer on a baking tray and cook for 20 minutes or until golden and tender. Set aside to cool.
- Whisk together the oil, vinegar and maple. Place cauliflower onto a serving platter and toss gently with the spinach leaves. Sprinkle with feta and pomegranate seeds. Drizzle with dressing and serve.
