Plum pudding is a traditional pudding made from dry fruits, suit and alcohol, which is generally prepared during Christmas time. The pudding is also known as a Christmas pudding or a plum duff, which is black or dark in appearance due to the dark sugars and black treacle. This delicacy is prepared differently by households who use their own traditional recipe which is followed by generations. Plum pudding is traditionally very expensive and luxurious in its ingredients so that important sweet spices can be used for giving the pudding a special and a rich aroma.
The traditional plum pudding recipe takes a long time to be prepared as the mixture of the recipe is moistened by adding citrus fruit juice, brandy and any other alcohol and the mixture is once stirred by each an every family member due to their rituals that is while making a wish at Christmas. Prior to serving, plum pudding is dried on hooks for weeks which helps to enhance its flavor.
The Roman Catholic Church declared that the plum pudding recipe should be made at 25th of December after the trinity and should be prepared by using 13 ingredients for representing the Christ and the plum pudding was originated in medieval England with association of Christmas.
The basic ingredients required for preparing the plum pudding are raisin, peeled orange, dried pineapple, mango, diced plum, apple and carrots, grated carrots, sugar, white butter, eggs, milk, orange and lemon juice, almond powder, bread crumbs, plain flour, spices such as star anise, cinnamon powder, ginger powder and clove and even liquor or fruit beer is added. In a bowl, raisin, peeled orange, dried mango and pineapple is mixed and then the diced plums, apple and grated carrots is soaked in liquor for about a week.
White butter and sugar is beaten well so that when the sugar is dissolved in the butter then the eggs are added and even milk, orange and lemon juice is added together. Breadcrumbs and the almond powder are mixed and plain flour is added along with the marinated fruits and is mixed thoroughly. This is followed by a pinch of mixed spices is added to the mixture and a cling wrap is placed in a dish or in a mould, is filled with the mixture, and is covered. A little water is taken in a baking dish, the mould is placed in it, and the traditional plum pudding recipe is kept in a pre-heated oven for about 2 hours.
Before serving, the pudding is steamed so that it is hot once again and is dressed with warm brandy. Plum pudding is placed on a platter and is topped with sprig of holy so that it looks decorative. It can be served with brandy butter, hard sauce, cream, rum butter, custard, lemon cream, or with sweet béchamel sauce and is sprinkled on top with caster sugar.
Pudding has a lot of nutritional value as it is rich in carbohydrates, proteins and fats but the recipe is not healthy as it contains alcohol in it, which can be harmful for health. However, if alcohol is not added and instead fruit beer is added then plum pudding is healthy.