Last year I kept seeing YouTube videos
on Christmas Pudding or Plum Pudding
or Figgy (or Fygey) Pudding.
I guess they're all the same thing.
I watched a few and thought it would be fun
try one.
Not making one, Heavens no, too many steps.
But sampling one.
Here's a bit of the info from
A Christmas pudding should have
13 ingredients –
that represent Jesus and the 12 disciples.
Traditionally, these ingredients include:
raisins, currants, suet, brown sugar,
breadcrumbs, citron, lemon peel,
orange peel, flour, mixed spices,
eggs, milk and brandy.
All things nice and spice. Schnapps2012/Shuttersock
Brandy is also traditionally poured over
the pudding and set alight.
The flaming brandy is said to represent
the passion of Christ.
Christmas puddings were traditionally
boiled in a “pudding cloth”,
Presented on the table with a sprig of holly,
they are then doused in brandy and set alight.
Some can get quite large!
The bigger they are,
the longer they take to boil in that cloth.
So I assume a lot of puddings
weren't humongous.
Here's an excerpt from Bleeker Street's
movie's "The Christmas Spirits" web page
(An excellent movie, by the way)
"PLUM PUDDINGS
For the Cratchits, the plum pudding was the
crowing symbol of the holiday celebration.
Dickens describes its appearance as the
meal’s crescendo with great appreciation:
“Mrs. Cratchit entered—flushed,
but smiling proudly—with the pudding,
like a speckled cannon-ball, so hard and firm,
blazing in half of half-a-quartern of
ignited brandy, and bedight with
Christmas holly stuck into the top.”
The strange concoction began in the
14th century as a mixture of beef,
spices, and dried fruit.
Over time, as the pudding grew
more sweet than savory, it became
a mainstay of the English Christmas.
While Oliver Cromwell banned the item
for a short time in the 17th century
as a remnant of earlier pagan celebrations,
King George I brought it back to the
Christmas table in 1714.
Dickens’ celebration of the desert made
it the delight of every Christmas meal.
And recipes for the liquor-soaked dessert
became the pride of every household
So how big is a cannon ball?
There is another technique where
they press the ingredients into a bowl
or a fancy mold and steam it
covered in a pot of water for 6 hours.
than an oddly shaped ball.
I was very close to buying one
at World Market
It was $19.99 and not very big,
I wasn't sure Sam would even like it,
so I passed on it figuring I'd never get to
try one.
But the ghost of Christmas Present
wasn't done with me yet,
Last year, for Christmas dinner
Sam and I went to the Silverado Steakhouse
at the South Point Casino
They offered a special four course meal
and one of the dessert choices
just happened to be
a Holiday Plum Pudding with Brandy Sauce!
I jumped at the chance to try a
I jumped at the chance to try a
cupcake sized plum pudding!
I don't remember if they set it on fire or not.
and I must say It wasn't bad, I liked it
and can see why it is a favorite
Christmas symbol to many.
In my many searches on on Ebay
I stumbled across, of all things,
A plum pudding candy dish!
and learned a bit about them from YouTube,
why not own this symbol of Christmas.
A Fitz and Floyd
"Plum Pudding Lidded Box"
circa 1993
$12.95 shipping and $2.49 tax
I displayed it on the buffet in front
of the gingerbread man
Notice how he is holding a wooden spoon
with white frosting and sprinkles on it?
Plus the plate that's attached even matches
the Bordallo Pinheiro Christmas Holly plates
I have in the background!
How cool is that?
It's as if it was meant to be!
Sam thinks it looks like frosted crap...
But I don't, however, now that she's said it
I can't get it out of my head.
But that's no nevermind,
I do like it and think it adds to the overall
baking theme of the buffet.
with its Gingerbread Man baker right behind.
arrived,
God Bless Us Everyone!
Thanks for stopping by
and
happy hunting!
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