Comments on: Food Monday ~ Nana’s Christmas Pudding

By: Grannymar

Grannymar — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 09:24:52 +0000

Will

Mammy made about 4 puddings in the year. If the bowls looked that they were over full, with not enough room for expansion while cooking, a few spoonfuls were put in a very small bowl and that was for the cooks! We had the chance to taste it when the puddings were finished the first boiling. Being small it didn’t require those extra hours!

We had a pudding on Christmas Day, New Years Day and St Patrick’s Day. The last one was held over, like in Steph’s house, for emergency dessert when the hoards descended!

Some years the extra puddings were stored until the next Christmas, with regular checking and oiling (with booze) throughout the year!

By: Will Knott

Will Knott — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 08:32:42 +0000

The tradition in our family was to make 2 puddings.
One would be served at Christmas, the other would be kept until Easter.

Both the puddings and the cake would be made months in advance, and every week each would receive a tot of whiskey to act as a preservative, and to ensure that no one would be driving that night.

We only did one attempt to “light” the pudding. The smoke alarm never recovered.

By: Grannymar

Grannymar — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 20:59:14 +0000

I miss the mixing, making and the chat with my grandmother singing a song about the ingredients. Alas I can’t recall the lyrics.
I also preferred pudding to the cake!

By: Baino

Baino — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 19:47:53 +0000

Sorry Grannymar, I could never get into the christmas pud. I remember my mother making it as a child and about this time of year. Stirring in sixpenses and hanging the thing in a muslin cloth until December - just couldn’t bring myself to eat it. I guess the joy is in the making.

By: Grannymar

Grannymar — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 18:45:48 +0000

*note to self* If I get pudding at Stephs’… don’t ask for seconds ’cause the cupboard will be bare!

@Magpie - I often thought about making a cannon-ball shaped pudding. Worried I might not grease the cloth properly to seal out the water.

I like a nicely moist turkey for the big day , cold again the next and don’t want to see it for the rest of the year. I don’t cook it for one when I am on my own.

@Elly - Nearly time you did it again in case you forget!

By: elly parker

elly parker — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 18:08:06 +0000

@grannymar Once at uni and again for G & myself’s 1st xmas together! Didn’t want to spend all day in the kitchen!

By: Magpie11

Magpie11 — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 15:57:56 +0000

GM What is your bird of choice?

By: Magpie11

Magpie11 — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 15:56:08 +0000

When we were kids it was always Mrs Peak’s Christmas pudding but herself cooks her own and always makes several. A very similar recipe.
The puds to be stored for up to four years…yes four…are doused with brandy in the basin before being covered as above. Always with a pleat in the greaseproof paper to allow for expansion and steam! I’m dieing to make a cannon-ball shaped one some day!

This year is scheduled for pud making…the Cakes being out of the way including all the orders that were taken after my birthday!!!

By: steph

steph — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 15:04:49 +0000

@ Elly

Nope! Not M&S although they do have good Christmas fare.

For the last 5 years approx, I’ve bought my pud at the Avoca Shop food hall (Suffolk Street, Dublin & Kilmacanogue, Wicklow).

They’re expensive enough (choice of small, medium & large) but very tasty and the nearest thing I can find to making my own.

But you have to be fast off the mark as they sell like hotcakes!

Last year, I was late going to purchase mine and the shop was sold out. When the lady saw the disappointment on my face, she went off and found me one ‘hidden away’ somewhere.

I didn’t dare tell her that we don’t usually eat ours at Christmas time

I prefer to keep it for when the cupboard is otherwise bare

By: Grannymar

Grannymar — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 12:37:18 +0000

Elly

Was that when you were at Uni? Near time you repeated the experience! I’ll come if there is no washing up!