Christmas Pudding
The best whole food plant-based Christmas pudding recipe around (even if I do say so myself!)
Equipment
- 2 large bowls
- 1x1 litre or 2x500ml pyrex bowls
- greaseproof paper
- tin foil
- string
- small grater
- spoons and sharp knife
- steamer
Ingredients
- 250 ml strong tea
- 425 grams mixed dried fruit
- 2 tbsp ground flaxseed
- 1 medium apple
- 2 T brandy optional
- 100 grams carrot
- 1 medium orange, zest and juice
- 200 grams self-raising flour GF optional
- 110 grams breadcrumbs gluten free if needed
- 1 teaspoon ground all spice
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- pinch cloves
- 50 grams coconut sugar optional
- 50 grams sliced almonds optional
Instructions
- Weigh out the dried fruit into a large bowl. Add strong tea and mix to combine. Leave to soak for at least 4 hours (do overnight if easier)
- Add the ground flaxseed and orange juice to the soaked dried fruit and stir well. Leave to thicken slightly.
- Weigh out the flour, breadcrumbs, spices, coconut sugar and sliced almonds (if using) in a large bowl.
- Finely chop the apple, grate the carrot and orange rind and add them to the bowl. Mix well.
- Add the brandy (if using) to the mixed fruit mix.
- Lightly grease the inside of the pyrex bowl/s with a couple of squirts of olive oil.
- Add the fruit mix to the flour mix and stir thoroughly to make sure everything is well combined. If the family is around, get them to give it a stir and make a wish. Or keep or the wishes to yourself!
- Spoon the mix into the prepared bowl and pack it down, pressing with the spoon.
- Make sure there's plenty of water in the steamer and put it on the hob to heat.
- Wrap the bowl in a double layer of greaseproof paper then wrap again in tin foil. Tie the string around the outside and make a handle - this will help you lift the bowl out of the steamer without burning your fingers.
- Place in the steamer and cook for 6 hours. Keep an eye on the water level in the steamer and top up as needed - you don't want it to burn dry or the smoke alarm will go crazy.
- Remove from the steamer and leave to cool.
- Once cold, peel off the foil and greaseproof paper and replace with fresh. Keep in a cool place.
- On Christmas Day, steam again for 2-3 hours before serving.