• This Karoo steamed Christmas pudding ticks all the boxes. Add a little extra brandy to the recipe and flambé it just before serving. Very dramatic!

    Karoo steamed Christmas pudding

    Serves: 6 - 8
    Cooking Time: 5 hours 30 minutes

    Ingredients

    • 475g (2½ cups) mixed dried fruit
    • 125ml (½ cup) rooibos or honeybush tea
    • 100g (½ cup) brown sugar
    • 65g butter + extra, for greasing
    • 2,5ml (½ tsp) bicarbonate of soda
    • 1 lightly beaten egg
    • 30ml (2 tbsp) brandy
    • 60g (½ cup) plain flour
    • 70g (½ cup) self-raising flour
    • 5ml (1 tsp) ground cinnamon
    • 2,5ml (½ tsp) nutmeg
    • 2,5ml (½ tsp) ground cloves
    • 60ml (¼ cup) walnuts, roughly chopped
    • 5 silver coins, washed thoroughly

    Instructions

    1

    Place the fruit in a large saucepan with the tea, sugar and butter. Stir constantly over high heat until the butter has melted and the sugar has dissolved. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes.

    2

    Stir in the bicarbonate of soda, remove from heat and set aside to cool.

    3

    Add the egg and the brandy to the fruit mixture, stirring.

    4

    Sift together the flours and spices, and add the walnuts. Add the sifted flour mixture to the fruit mixture and stir until combined. Drop in the coins and stir.

    5

    Grease a large pudding basin with a little butter and spoon the mixture in. Cover with a tight-fitting lid or greased aluminium foil and tie it securely with string. Place the pudding in a large saucepan with enough water to come halfway up the side of the bowl or pudding cloth.

    6

    Cover and boil gently for 5 hours, replenishing the water occasionally as it evaporates.

    7

    After the pudding has been steamed, keep it in a cool, dry place for several weeks or longer. This improves it immensely.

    8

    On Christmas Day, steam the pudding for a few more hours. Turn it out onto a serving plate, douse it in brandy and set it alight. Once the flames subside, serve it with custard. Those who find the lucky coins get to make a wish!

    Made this Karoo steamed Christmas pudding recipe? Tag us @foodandhomesa #CookingWithFH on Instagram!

    ALSO SEE: Spinach and ricotta Christmas tree

    Spinach and ricotta Christmas tree

    Recipe by Gordon Wright 

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