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Christmas or Plum Puddings have a firm tradition at
Christmas in the UK, despite taking hours to
cook and, ideally, having to be cooked at least a
month before Christmas so the flavours mature.
On Christmas Day, the pudding is re-steamed for
between 2 to 4 hours, depending on its size and is
served hot for dessert.
Christmas Pudding and Plum Pudding
History
Christmas Pudding or rather Plum Pudding dates back to the middle ages but but
was originally a Christmas porridge called Frumenty which contained wheat or
corn which was boiled in milk. Over the years other ingredients were added such
as dried plums or prunes, eggs, and meat and it became known as Plum Pudding.
Then during 11th Century, when spices including cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg were
introduced to Europe from the Middle East, these were also added to the
puddings, probably originally as a sign of wealth.
Although the recipe evolved further over hundreds of
years, with ingredients being added and taken away, it was only established as
an essential Christmas food in the 1800s when Queen Victoria’s husband,
Prince Albert's love of it made it fashionable throughout the country.
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There are many traditions associated with Christmas or
Plum pudding, including:
It should be made with 13 ingredients to represent Jesus and His Disciples
Coins are added to the pudding mix and then very member of the family should
take a turn to stir the pudding with a wooden spoon, making a wish as they stir
then whoever gets a coin in their portion on Christmas Day will have their wish
come true
A sprig of holly is often used to decorate the top of the
pudding to represent the crown of thorns worn by Jesus on the cross
Christmas Pudding
Recipes
Below are some traditional and alternative Christmas Pudding Recipes
Light Christmas Pudding Veg HT DP 150mins
Christmas Pudding with Guinness HT DP British 180mins
plus standing
Vegetarian Christmas Pudding
Veg HT DP 180mins
Traditional Christmas Plum
Pudding HT DP 240mins plus soaking
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