1. mix the dried fruits ( chopped as stated in the ingredients) in a bowl and add the alcohol, juices and zests. Stir, cover with a tea towel and leave to soak for 3-4 days, stiring everyday. 2. On the day that you willl be making the pudding, place the hazelnuts in a frying pan ( no oil) and cook gently until lightly toasted and golden. Chop roughly. 3. Butter the 2 pudding basins ( 1.2 liter/ 2 pint capacity each) with some softened butter, then place a disk of grease proof paper on the bottom. 4. In a large mixing bowl, beat together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes ( I use hand held electric whisk). 5. Gradually add the beaten eggs, mixing well after each addition ( don't worry if it curdles, this won't effect the pudding). 6. Tip in the soaked fruits, chopped nuts and chopped apple. stir well with a wooden spoon or hands. 7. Sift in the flour and spices, stir in the breadcrumbs and mix. CALL ALL THE FAMILY MEMBERS TO STIR THE MIXTURE AND MAKE A WISH! 8. Fill the basin with the mixture leaving a 2.5 cm/ 1 inch at the top. Smooth the top with the back of a spoon. 9. Cover with a double thickness of buttered greaseproof paper which has been pleated in the middle. This is done to allow the steam in the pudding to expand. Wrap a double lenght of string around the bowl and secure. 10. Overlap the pudding with foil and secure under the ends of teh greaseproof paper. 11. At this point I tie more string to form handles so that I can remove the basin from the hot water easily. 12. Place the pudding basins in a deep pan ( I place my pudding on a shallow cookie cutter on the bottom of the pan so that no direct heat hits it). Pour in 5 cm/2 inches boiling water around it ( I do a third of the basin in the water) return to a simmer and simmer for 2 hours, topping up with more boiling water as needed. 13. Cool, discard paper and rewrap the top with clean greaseproof paper, string and foil . 14. store for up to 3 months in a cool, dry airy place ( or refrigerator). 15. On christmas morning, reheat in microwave ( without the foil, just greaseproof paper) for 6-8 minutes then rest for 2 minutes before turning out. 16. OR: re-steam again using the cooking method but for 1 1/2 hours. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nutrition
Ingredients
