Sorry if Ive missed this above, but once I've prepared it how do I best store it for the next month as the recipe I am looking at only has 3 tablespoons of brandy in it?
Quote: Originally posted by Marilyn51 on 25/11/2014
HI ficklejade, I'm so sorry that you no longer have pudding night & I dread when the time comes that things change for us. Every year mum says 'this might be the last'. On Christmas day you can see the look on mums face when my sister brings the pudding in for mum to cut, she worries every year just in case it's not up to standard & is thinking about all the houses that it is being served in, but I've never known a failure yet & every year seems to get better.
Thanks, Marilyn - that's kind of you. Mum's got dementia so it's pot luck if she remembers Christmas - most of the time she forgets who I and my son are! I do miss pudding night, in fact there's so much that's had to go by the board - majority of family are overseas or passed on - but son knows all the little recipes for a lot of things we did in the past and maybe there'll come a time when it's going to be worth doing it again. However, still make my own sausage rolls and mince pies - though no-one who's driving will be able to have them with the new law!
------------- " When I die I don`t want my life to flash before me in an instant, I want it to be a 3 hour epic !"
Quote: Originally posted by FionaW1971 on 26/11/2014
Sorry if Ive missed this above, but once I've prepared it how do I best store it for the next month as the recipe I am looking at only has 3 tablespoons of brandy in it?
You need somewhere cool - NOT fridge and DEFFO NOT freezer - and a house kept around 70F will not do. Former in-laws used to have a very large tin and kept it in conservatory (not heated) - so it was a bit like the old style larder (something I wish I had!).
Ideally, you should (if you can) be adding brandy and letting it soak in every few days. At least, that's what my MIL used to do with the pud for the more tee-total family members!!
------------- " When I die I don`t want my life to flash before me in an instant, I want it to be a 3 hour epic !"
just get a fruit pudding and pour meths over it,set it on fire as you walk in the room then hide the taste with a strong (really strong) brandy sauce.Then everyone is too pi**ed to care.Sorted
------------- i dont sell cheap tat.I sell tat cheap
I wish you were a bit nearer ficklejade and then you would be more than welcome to join us. Two years ago there was an article in our local paper that people were moving away from traditional puddings and I contacted them to say 'no way' & they phoned back to ask if they could do an article and send a photographer, I told them it would be a Friday night at about 8.30 an on the dot a knock at the door heralded the arrival of said photographer. Many photos later the photographer left and the following week there was a half page spread. Mum was a bit wary at first but thoroughly enjoyed the experience as long as I don't do it again. I'll be baking mince pies, sausage rolls (some with black pudding in the middle of the sausage) and corned beef pasties for the nibbles on Saturday. I wish you could join us.
Stir up Sunday was last Sunday, so this weekend would do.
I make my Christmas cake in October & feed it brandy, so that's done! Last year I made 2 puddings on stir up Sunday & froze 1! I'll bring it out about a week before & add more brandy. Hic!
I have been making my own for a few years now as husband is allergic to nuts. Previously,we either had normal one and he didn't eat it or we had a nut free which I do not think are as good (in my opinion, even expensive ones)
I have been using Delias recipe for Christmas pud and just omitted all nuts. Everyone who likes puds, like this. It is moist,tasty and copes with being reheated on Boxing Day!
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Quote: Originally posted by Marilyn51 on 25/11/2014
This coming Saturday is 'pudding night' in our family. Mam has made the puddings all my life (I'm nearly 64) and still does. On Saturday there will be 22 of us + mum in her house. No one but her touches it but we all have a job. A sister in law greases the bowls (normally 14 or 15) my sister mixes the eggs, milk & brandy, my brothers, nieces and nephews look after the fruit and the younger ones have the spices, I'm in charge of the brandy. Mum has her routine - jewellery removed, hands and arms scrubbed, and she's ready. The puddings are mixed in a baby's bath (the baby it was bought for is now 56 years old and brings his grandson. Once mum has the basic mix done the young ones add the spice remembering to 'tap it's bottom' to make sure all the spice is out, we all add a packet of fruit with a little kept back for luck, then it's the eggs, milk & brandy. It is all mixed by hand (there isn't a spoon big enough) and when all basins are filled the bath is thrown onto the floor to be scraped clean by the mob. During all this the drinks are flowing and the noise is terrific but we all look forward to it. There will be 3 missing this year as my niece and her partner went to live in Antigua and her mum has just flown out for a holiday but they will be there on Skype. Mum then steams all the puddings before giving them out and they take anywhere from 3 to 7 hours each depending on size.
All this and my mum will be 92 in January and has never used a recipe nor weighed anything.
Sorry for such a long post but I just thought I'd share our story.
FionaW1971 there is still time to make the pudding and why don't you make one for next year while your at it.
Last Friday (20/11/2015) we had our annual 'pudding night' and as usual it was a huge success. Mum (almost 93 years old) managed to stand at the head of the table to make them totally by hand (no machines), there were 27 of us al standing round watching, and adding the fruit and spices as required, her children & grandchildren put in the fruit (keeping some in the hand to eat), & the great grandchildren add the spices (tapping the bottom of the pot (smacking its bum). The new arrivals this year were - nephews new girlfriend (who was totally mesmerised) nieces mother in law and new great niece (8 weeks old). Mum is always totally shattered when it's all over but wouldn't change anything for the world. 4 generations involved in making the Christmas puddings is surely something to behold. By the way, she doesn't live in a mansion, just an ordinary 3 bed council house.
It's a wonderful night. Sorry if I've repeated myself over previous posts but I just get so excited about our families most special night.
Marilyn, that pudding night sounds great and a lot of fun.
My dad has made around a dozen or more Christmas cakes each year which were given as part of the Christmas presents, although last year he did not make as many as his health was starting to affect him.
One thing that I was wondering though was how come you got the job of being in charge of the brandy??? was it your idea or were you volunteered??
Epic! I hold up my hands to say (Guilty, yer Honour...) I've never made a Christmas pud. Cakes, mince pies, but not pud. I did fancy tackling a clootie dumpling, but still haven't managed that - its all the steam that puts me off, I think. Some years I buy the cake, but I do intend to make one this year - all the ingredients are waiting in the cupboard and I need to do it before I start snacking on the glace cherries.
My Mum used to make a special trifle of artery-clanging richness that was assembled over a few days in a big glass bowl. When you dug the serving spoon into it, it put up a bit of a fight and made a wonderful heavy 'schlup' noise.
------------- Always edited for sloppy typing - when I spot it!
Mum steamed the last of the puds today so that's it for another year. She took a bit of a funny turn while mixing them (with her hand, never a spoon) but just sat on my brother who was nearest until she felt better and then carried on. My sister and I offered help but just got a shouted NO, I'M STILL CAPABLE OF DOING IT MYSELF.
ST1100, I volunteered to be the brandy keeper as I provide it. Must make sure it's ok so as not to spoil the puds.
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Topic: Xmas Pud
