Quick and Easy Christmas Pudding
Preparation 20 Minutes
Cook 30 Minutes
Serves 8-10
Method
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Place fruit and brandy in microwaveable bowl and heat for 1 minute or until warmed through. Set aside to cool, stirring occasionally.
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Beat butter and sugar with electric mixer until light and creamy. Beat in eggs one at a time. Sift flour and mixed spice over butter mixture, then stir in breadcrumbs and fruit mixture. Mix well.
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Grease and flour a 1.5L microwaveable bowl. Spoon mixture into bowl and smooth top. Cover with a pleated, double-layer of baking paper secured with kitchen string.
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Cook in microwave on defrost setting (300W) for 30 minutes, rotating the bowl after 20 minutes. Test with a skewer inserted into pudding. If it doesn’t come out clean, microwave at 5 minute intervals until done. Leave pudding to stand for 10 minutes before turning onto a plate. Serve with custard.
Ingredients
375g Sunbeam Mixed Fruit
100g Sunbeam Australian Raisins
100g Angas Park Dates
1/2 cup brandy
150g butter, softened
3/4 cup dark brown sugar
2 free-range eggs
1/2 cup plain flour
2 tsp mixed spice
1 1/2 cups fresh breadcrumbs
custard, to serve
Recipe Collection
Moroccan Chicken with Raisins, Almonds and Honey
Pat chicken dry with paper towel, and sprinkle both sides of meat with salt and pepper. Drizzle the olive oil into a large heavy-based pot over medium-high heat.
When oil is shimmering, add half the chicken pieces and cook 5 – 7 mins per side, until golden brown. Transfer to a plate and repeat with remaining chicken pieces.
Reduce heat to medium, and add onion, garlic, ras el hanout, cinnamon stick, and ginger to the hot oil. Stir well, then cook for 5 mins, until onions have started to soften.
Return chicken and any resting juices to the pot. Add stock, bring to a boil, then cover and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 1.5 hrs, until the chicken is tender.
Remove cinnamon stick and add raisins and honey to the pot. Gently stir to combine and increase heat to medium. Simmer uncovered, for a further 30 – 45 min, until the sauce has reduced and the raisins are plump. Stir through lemon juice.
Garnish with almonds and parsley. Serve with crusty bread, rice, or couscous.
Carrot, Walnut & Raisin Cake
Preheat oven to 180℃.
Grate young fresh carrots to give one full cup & strain the juice from 440g can of crushed pineapple.
In a bowl mix 1 cup of plain flour, 1 tsp baking powder, 3/4 tsp bicarb soda, 1/2 tsp each of salt & cinnamon & 3/4 cup caster sugar. Add 2 eggs and 5 Tbsp oil (just under 1/3 cup).
Sir in the grated carrot, crushed pineapple & 1/4 cup Sunbeam walnuts, chopped. Bake in a moderate oven 175 oC for 40 – 45 minutes and cool before covering with topping. (Note: We slightly froze the cake to make firm to slice into layers to add frosting in between)
To make cream cheese topping, place in a bowl butter, cream cheese, vanilla, icing sugar and beat very well. If too thick add a small amount of milk to give a smooth consistency.
Red Velvet Cupcakes
Preheat oven to 170°C.
- Line 24 cupcake pans with paper cases.
- Sift flour, cocoa powder and bicarbonate of soda into a bowl. Stir through the sugar and currants.
- Whisk the buttermilk, butter, eggs, vinegar and vanilla in a large jug until combined.
- Make a well in the centre of the flour mixture. Add the buttermilk mixture. Stir until just combined. Stir in the food colouring.
- Spoon the mixture into the paper cases. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Roasted Peach Parfait with Gingerbread Granola
For the granola
Preheat the oven to 180℃.
In a large bowl, add all of the ingredients and mix well with a wooden spoon until all well combined.
Spread the mixture across 2 large baking trays lined with baking paper. Place into the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, tossing the granola after 10 minutes.
Remove from the oven and allow granola to cool completely before storing in airtight containers, or jars.
Notes
Granola will store in an airtight container or jar for up to 2 weeks.
For the Peaches
Preheat the oven to 180℃.
Place peach quarters into a baking dish, sprinkle over the coconut sugar, ginger and drizzle over the vanilla and lemon juice. Toss gently, then place into the oven for 15 minutes, or until just tender.
Meanwhile, make the Mascarpone Cream. Place the cream into a stand mixer and whip for until fluffy and stiff peaks form. Add the mascarpone and whip again until combined. Add in the sugar and whip again.
To assemble Parfaits, layer the Marscapone Cream and Roasted Peaches. Garnish with the Gingerbread Granola and coconut flakes. Repeat for another layer.
Chocolate Puddings with Sherry Raisins
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Pre-heat oven to 160°C (140°C fan-forced). Lightly grease 6 x ¾ cup capacity muffin pans. Place butter, sugar, raisins and sherry in a saucepan and heat, stirring occasionally until butter has melted. Allow to cool.
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Mix eggs through raisin mixture and then fold in the flour, almond meal, cocoa and spice. Pour between prepared pans and bake for 30 minutes. Allow to cool for 10 minutes in pan before removing.
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Use a small spatula to help remove puddings from pans and serve with custard and cream.
Puddings can be made in advance and re-heated briefly in a microwave to warm through.
Christmas Nougat
Preheat oven to 180°C.
Lightly brush a 15cm square cake pan with oil. Line the base with 1 sheet of rice paper.2Spread pistachios over baking tray. Bake for 4-5 minutes, until toasted.
Set aside to cool.3In a medium saucepan, combine sugar, honey, glucose and water, and stir over low heat for 5-7 minutes, until sugar dissolves. Increase heat to high and boil, without stirring, for 20 minutes, occasionally brushing down sides of pan with a pastry brush dipped in water.
Remove from heat.4Meanwhile, in a clean bowl, using an electric mixer, beat egg-white and rosewater together until stiff peaks form. With the motor running, pour hot sugar syrup into the egg-white mixture in a thin, steady stream.
Using a metal spoon, stir in pistachios and cranberries. Pour into prepared pan. Press firmly into the base.
Top with the remaining rice paper sheet. Set aside in a cool, dry place for 4 hours to set.
Turn nougat onto a chopping board and cut into 3cm squares to serve.
