Colour it green

christmas pudding

we always make our Christmas pudding on 'stir up Sunday', which is 5th Sunday before Christmas day.

4oz self raising flour

pinch of salt

1 tsp ground mixed spices

4 oz dark brown sugar

4 oz suet

14oz mixed dried fruit

2oz flaked almonds

grated rind and juice of 1 orange and 1 lemon

1/2 tbsp black treacle

2 eggs

3 tbsp brandy

20z grated carrot

2oz grated apple

Mix all the ingredient together thoroughly. Each member of the family should make a wish at this point, (never miss the opportunity to wish! - keep it secret!). Leave the mixture in a covered bowl overnight.

Next day, spoon into a 2 pint pudding basin. cover with foil and secure with string. Steam for 6 hours. Cool completely, then renew foil cover and store somewhere dark and cool.

To serve, wrap a silver coin (we use 50p) in foil and insert in one side of the pudding. Steam pudding for one hour. Loosen sides with a knife and tip our onto a plate. Pour over more brandy and set alight!

Whoever gets the coin gets their wish come true...

nb, in our house its tradition to let the steamer boil dry at least once during each steaming.. but really it is not necessary!!