Quick and Easy Christmas Pudding

Preparation 20 Minutes

Cook 30 Minutes

Serves 8-10

Method

  1. Place fruit and brandy in microwaveable bowl and heat for 1 minute or until warmed through. Set aside to cool, stirring occasionally.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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

Hot Cross Bun Waffles

Cut Hot cross bun in half

Heat your waffle iron and place both halves on the waffle iron to toast

Scoop vanilla ice-cream and place between the toasted bun

Drizzle with chocolate sauce and serve.

Ricotta & Walnut Tagliatelle

  1. Place pasta into a large saucepan of boiling water and cook to pack directions, or until al dente. Drain.

  2. Meanwhile, heat oil in a large frying pan. Add walnuts and sunflower seeds, tossing regularly until toasted. Add garlic, chilli and lemon rind cooking a further minute.

  3. Add cooked drained pasta to the fryingpan with the ricotta, rocket, vinegar, lemon juice and some additional oil. Season and toss well.

Cherry Dark Choc Biscotti

Preheat oven to 180ΒΊC (160ΒΊC fan).Β Β Line a large oven tray with baking paper.

In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with whisk attachment, combine sugar and eggs.Β Β Whisk until pale and fluffy.Β Β Add both flours, nuts, sultanas and cherries and stir to combine.Β 

Lightly dust a clean work surface with flour.Β Β Turn the dough out onto the surface, divide into two even portions then roll each into a 30cm long log.Β Β Transfer to prepared tray, flatten the tops slightly then bake for 30 mins.Β Β Remove tray from oven and allow logs to cool for 20 mins.Β Β Reduce oven temperature to 140ΒΊC.

Use a serrated knife to diagonally cut slices, about 5mm thick.Β Β Arrange slices back onto the lined oven tray and bake for a further 15 mins, turning the biscuits half way, until they are crisp and dry.Β Β Transfer biscuits to a wire baking rack to cool completely.

Place chocolate in a microwave safe bowl and melt according to packet instructions.Β Β Pour melted chocolate into a small cup and dip the ends of the biscotti into the melted chocolate, tapping off any excess.Β Β Sprinkle extra almonds over the chocolate to decorate.

Place dipped biscotti onto baking paper and stand at room temperature until the chocolate sets.

Red Velvet Cupcakes

Preheat oven to 170Β°C.

  1. Line 24 cupcake pans with paper cases.
  2. Sift flour, cocoa powder and bicarbonate of soda into a bowl. Stir through the sugar and currants.
  3. Whisk the buttermilk, butter, eggs, vinegar and vanilla in a large jug until combined.
  4. Make a well in the centre of the flour mixture. Add the buttermilk mixture. Stir until just combined. Stir in the food colouring.
  5. 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.

Chocolate Fruit Truffles

  1. Add chocolate to a food processor and blitz until very finely chopped.
  2. Transfer chocolate to a bowl, pour over the hot thickened cream, add butter, currants and salt and stir to combine. Refrigerate for 3-4 hours until firm but still able to be scooped with a spoon.
  3. To make truffles, scoop 1 heaped tbsp of the mixture and use clean hands to roll into a rough ball. Repeat with remaining mixture (you should make about 24)
  4. Arrange crushed nuts, desiccated coconut and cacao powder in separate bowls. Roll each of the truffles into different coatings to decorate.*to make coloured coconut we combined desiccated coconut with a few drops of food colouring

Spice Roasted Cauliflower & Sunmuscat Sultana Dressing

Preheat oven to 220Β°C. In a large bowl, combine 2 Tbsp olive oil, salt, pepper, sweet paprika, and smoked paprika. Stir well, add cauliflower, and toss to evenly coat.

Transfer cauliflower onto a baking paper lined oven tray. Bake 25 – 30 minutes, stirring halfway through, until golden.

While the cauliflower is roasting, drizzle remaining 2 Tbsp oil into a skillet over medium-high heat. Add sliced shallot and cook for 5 – 7 minutes, stirring regularly, until shallots have started to turn golden.

Remove pan from heat, add capers, vinegar, honey, water, and Sunmuscat sultanas. Stir well, and season to taste with salt and pepper.

Toss parsley through cooked cauliflower and transfer to a serving plate. Spoon dressing over top, sprinkle with walnuts or pine nuts to serve.

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