INGREDIENTS
1/2 cup rum or brandy
500g butter, melted
500g currants
500g sultanas
500g raisins
250g chopped dates
250 g mixed peel
125g flour
1 teaspoon bicarb soda
125g slivered almonds
1 teaspoon vanilla essence
750g light brown sugar
375g fresh breadcrumbs
10 eggs, lightly beaten
1 teaspoon mixed spice
1 teaspoon cinnamon
Brandy custard:
1 cup (250mL) milk
1 cup (250mL) cream
1 vanilla bean, split
5 egg yolks
125g caster sugar
60mL brandy
PREPARATION
1. Add all fruit to a large bowl and soak overnight in the rum or brandy.
2. Sift in the flour and bicarb; add the almonds, essence, sugar, breadcrumbs, eggs and spices.
3. Mix all together (with hands is best) and divide mixture between three puddings cloths. Tie the ends of each cloth together with kitchen string.
4. In a stockpot large enough to hold all three puddings (or several large saucepans), bring water to the boil, add puddings and boil for 6 hours.
5. Check water level regularly and top up with boiling water if required.
6. Cool and store in a cool place until Christmas Day.
7. To reheat, boil for at least 1 hour. Serve with brandy custard or ice-cream.
8. To make the brandy custard, place milk, cream and vanilla bean into a heavy-based saucepan and bring to simmering point.
9. In a separate bowl, whisk egg yolks with sugar until light and foamy, then whisk in warm milk mixture.
10. Rinse out the saucepan and pour the custard into the pan and cook over moderate heat, stirring continuously with a spoon, until mixture thickens.
11. Strain into a jug, cool slightly and stir in brandy. Serve warm or cold.
NOTES
If, like me, you are happy to go without mixed peel, just replace with other fruit.
The puddings will last several months if stored in the fridge.
Cover the top of the custard with plastic wrap to stop a skin from forming. Of course, you could always buy prepared custard.
This recipe was created by Melissa Hughes for Kidspot, New Zealand's best recipe finder.