Xmas Pudding, is it worth it????

Bunny200

I'm having 10 people here for xmas day and can't decide on whether to buy a pudding or make one. I usually buy one which does all get eaten with the usual brandy cream & custard etc. I haven't got a basin big enough to steam it but I have a plastic mixing bowl which could go in the m/wave.

1. Is it cheaper to make a pudding that size or buy one?
2. Is it ok to m/wave rather than steam it? The bowl does get used in the m/wave but usually for 20 odd mins but I'm guessing the pudding would be in there for ages.
3. The Delia recipe seems to be a popular one but does anyone have any others and what quantity would I need for 10?
4. Presumably I can use veggie suet as MIL is veggie?

Thanks for helping

adsk

Bunny200 wrote: »

I'm having 10 people here for xmas day and can't decide on whether to buy a pudding or make one. I usually buy one which does all get eaten with the usual brandy cream & custard etc. I haven't got a basin big enough to steam it but I have a plastic mixing bowl which could go in the m/wave.

1. Is it cheaper to make a pudding that size or buy one?
2. Is it ok to m/wave rather than steam it? The bowl does get used in the m/wave but usually for 20 odd mins but I'm guessing the pudding would be in there for ages.
3. The Delia recipe seems to be a popular one but does anyone have any others and what quantity would I need for 10?
4. Presumably I can use veggie suet as MIL is veggie?

Thanks for helping

1. If you buy a bargain basement pudding it will probably work out about the same price but home made is FAR better tasting than even the most expensive shop bought pud. Regarding bowls - if you buy a regular 2pt pyrex bowl specifically to make the pudding in you can use it after Christmas for other purposes. They don't cost much and will last for years. A 2pt bowl is big enough for a 10 person pud.
2. Providing there's not too much booze then microwaving is safe but I've never tried to cook a christmas pudding in a microwave - reheating works fine but it's not as nice as a steamed reheated pudding.
   I cook my Christmas pudding in a slow cooker for about 10 hours - it's the best way to cook a Christmas pud.
3. Delia's recipe is OK but this recipe is stunning!
   
   http://kethry.wordpress.com/food/xmaspud/
   
   When I made it I replace 1/3 of the breadcrumbs with flour
   
   
4. [FONT=&quot]Veggie suet is nasty stuff - normally contains lots of palm oil which concerns me for ethical and health reasons. If you do the recipe I've recommended it uses butter. I suppose you could take the same approach with other recipes, subsituting the suet for butter - don't use margarine, please!
   [/FONT]

valk_scot

I have to admit I buy my big Xmas puddings at the end of January, when they're reduced down to 10p or similar, even the Finest or Taste the Difference ones. I make sure the BB date is long enough then tuck them at the back of the cold cupboard. I quite often buy a couple of little ones too as OH really likes them as a pud even in July, ick.

As an aside. January is a great time for Christmas shopping. I once bought twelve boxes of luxury crackers when Sainsburys reduced them to 10p a box too. The checkout lady thought I was crazy till I pointed out that if nothing else I was getting twelve party bag favours for 10p, lol. Actually the kids never seemed to mind getting actual Christmas crackers at a September birthday party. We were all sad when they ran out. Ditto chocolate Advent calendars at 1p etc!

Mrs_Thrify

Hi Bunny, Re. making the Christmas pud, it is a good idea and very festive if you like cooking and have the time.
I make a christmas cake and all the mince pies but would buy the pudding from Mr. T's or Marks and Spencer.

lurkylurky

I can recommend the Holly Lane Christmas pud from Aldi . It's a little bit nutty and tastes delicious. It usually comes top (or thereabouts) in taste tests, beating M&S, Waitrose etc. They cost £2.70 ish but no chance of picking one up in the Sale as they sell out well before Christmas.

The mince pies from Aldi are also gorgeous.

Olliebeak

I bought a fabulous Asda Extra Special Christmas Pud back in January. Cost me 20p at the time and dated use by Nov 2010. It's sitting nicely at the back of my Christmas stash cupboard along with 2 boxes of Paxo Cranberry Stuffing that are also well within their date (not that I'd worry about them as they're dired anyway).

Got a bit annoyed with OH though, when he entertained his niece with my stashed Disney Princess Christmas Crackers (2 boxes of 6 at 20p per box) from the top of the wardrobe :mad: - it was the middle of April for goodness sake !!!

smartandshrewd

I probably wouldn't worry too much about the best before date on a christmas pudding, there's not much in it that can spoil. If it does dry out a little, a dose of brandy works a treat.

valk_scot

Olliebeak wrote: »

I bought a fabulous Asda Extra Special Christmas Pud back in January. Cost me 20p at the time and dated use by Nov 2010. It's sitting nicely at the back of my Christmas stash cupboard along with 2 boxes of Paxo Cranberry Stuffing that are also well within their date (not that I'd worry about them as they're dired anyway).

Got a bit annoyed with OH though, when he entertained his niece with my stashed Disney Princess Christmas Crackers (2 boxes of 6 at 20p per box) from the top of the wardrobe :mad: - it was the middle of April for goodness sake !!!

A woman after my own heart, lol!:T

tandraig

tbh I second the Aldi christmas pud - it really is lovely. my nan used to make hers about sept oct and tasted completely diff to shop bought ones - was sort of lemony and cinnamony - i do wish i had the recipe as its the only one i would spend the time and money on making!! I reheat the aldi pud in microwave btw. serve with either custard or cream or my own hM sweet white sauce (DS2s fave)

have a look in charity shops or wilkos for pyrex pudding bowls! they are ever so handy for lots of things.