Christmas Pudding With Apricots And Chocolate Recipes

CHOCOLATE & APRICOT PUD WITH GLOSSY CHOCOLATE SAUCE

Steps:

• Butter a 1.2 litre/2 pint pudding basin and put a circle of greaseproof paper in the base. Put the apricots in a small pan and add the brandy. Bring slowly to the boil, then simmer, turning the apricots occasionally until all the brandy has soaked in. Leave until cool enough to handle.
• Tip the ground almonds into a bowl, then sift over the cocoa, flour and baking powder and mix everything together.
• In another bowl, beat the butter and sugar together for 2-3 minutes until light and fluffy.Gradually beat in the eggs and milk.
• Chop half the apricots into small pieces. Chop the chocolate into large chunks. Lightly stir the flour mixture into the cake mix, followed by the apricots and chocolate.
• Put the remaining whole apricots into the bowl and spoon over the honey. Add the pudding mixture and smooth the top. Cover with double thickness buttered greaseproof paper and tie down. Trim off the excess paper, then overwrap in foil, tucking the ends under the edges of the paper.
• Put the basin into a large pan and pour boiling water into the pan, to come halfway up the sides of the basin. Cover and steam for 21⁄2 hours, until it feels firm. (The pudding can be made to this stage up to 2 days ahead. Reheat by steaming for 1 hour, or microwave on medium for 6-8 minutes.)
• Towards the end of the cooking time, make the sauce. Break up the chocolate and put in a small pan with the cream and brandy if using. Warm gently, stirring lightly until smooth and glossy.
• Cool the pudding in the bowl for 10 minutes, then turn out and serve with the chocolate sauce and cream or good vanilla ice cream.

CHRISTMAS PUDDING WITH APRICOTS AND CHOCOLATE

Steps:

• Sift the flour into a medium sized bowl. Add all remaining pudding ingredients. Mix well to combine.
• Cut a small piece of kitchen paper to fit the base of the pudding basin. Grease the pudding basin with butter. Place the baking paper in the base. Grease the baking paper.
• Spoon the pudding mixture into the greased pudding basin. Cover securely with the lid.
• (If using a non-lidded basin-top with another piece of baking paper and two layers of aluminium foil. Tie securely with string).
• Place the pudding into a large saucepan or stockpot. Fill the saucepan with water to come 1/2 way up the sides of the pudding basin. Cover the saucepan and bring the water to the boil.

CHOCOLATE, FRUIT & CLEMENTINE CHRISTMAS PUDDING

Steps:

• Soak the mixed fruit, cranberries and zests in the clementine and lemon juices for 3 days, stirring daily, keeping the bowl covered with a tea towel.
• Butter a 1-litre pudding basin and line the bottom with a greaseproof paper circle. Beat together the butter and sugar until pale and fluffy. Sift in the flour, cocoa and spice, then stir in before adding the eggs. Stir in the apple, soaked fruits and liquid. Add the breadcrumbs, cherries, and chocolate chips, mixing thoroughly.
• Fill the basin with the mixture, then cover with a double thickness of greaseproof paper, pleated in the middle. Cover this with a layer of foil, pleated in the middle, then tie tightly with string.
• Place the pudding in a large saucepan on a trivet or upturned saucer so it doesn't touch the bottom, then fill halfway up the basin with hot water. Bring to a simmer, cover the pan, then cook for 2 hrs.

THE ULTIMATE ENGLISH CHRISTMAS PUDDING

Steps:

• Lightly butter a 1.4-litre (21/2-pint) pudding basin.
• Cut a small square of foil and press into the base of the basin.
• Measure the sultanas, raisins, apricots and apple into a bowl with the orange juice.
• Add the measured brandy or rum and leave to marinate for about one hour.
• Put the measured butter, sugar and grated orange rind into a large bowl and cream together with a wooden spoon or a hand-held electric whisk until light and fluffy, gradually beat in the eggs, adding a little flour if the mixture starts to curdle.
• Sift together the flour and mixed spice, then fold into the creamed mixture with the breadcrumbs and the nuts.
• Add the dried fruits, apple and liquid and stir well.
• Spoon into the prepared pudding basin, pressing the mixture down, and level the top with the back of a spoon.
• Cover the pudding with a layer of greaseproof paper and foil, both pleated across the middle to allow for expansion.
• Tie securely with string and trim off excess paper and foil with scissors***.
• TO STEAM, put the pudding in the top of a steamer filled with simmering water, cover with a lid and steam for about eight hours, topping up the water as necessary.
• TO BOIL, put a metal jam-jar lid into the base of a large pan to act as a trivet. Put the pudding on to this and pour in enough boiling water to come one-third of the way up the bowl. Cover with a lid, bring the water back to the boil, then simmer for about seven hours, until the pudding is a glorious deep brown colour, topping up the water as necessary.
• Remove the pudding from the steamer or pan and cool completely.
• Make holes in the pudding with a fine skewer and pour in a little more brandy or rum to feed.
• Discard the paper and foil and replace with fresh. Store in a cool, dry place.
• On Christmas Day, steam or boil the pudding for about an hour to reheat. Turn the pudding on to a serving plate.
• To flame, warm 3-4 tablespoons brandy or rum in a small pan, pour it over the hot pudding and set light to it.
• Serve with Rum Sauce or Brandy Butter.