Help! Cooking Christmas Pudding

katskorner

Help,

I have searched and can't find the answer I need. My lovely friend brought me over two Christmas puddings that she had made yesterday - and then told me I need to cook them on the hob for 8 hours to steam them. Only problem is I need to cook them today or tomorrow and I am not going to be in for an 8 hour stretch to keep an eye on them.

Can I microwave them instead? If so, how long should I do it for - they are about a pint each and in proper plastic pudding bowls. If I can't then I am not sure what to do as it would be a terrible shame to waste them.

Thanks.
Kat.

squeaky

Down towards the bottom of this page it says yes...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/stoke/features/christmas/food.shtml

I'll move you across to our Christmas Board shortly.

thriftlady_2

Are they completely raw - that is, just pudding mixture ? In which case they do need steaming on the hob or in a slow cooker for 8 hours. I really don't think a microwave will do it. Might be wrong though.

If they are already cooked then to serve them on Christmas day you need to reheat them by steaming on the hob/slow cooker for 2 hours.

If you have a slow cooker, you don't need to be in whilst they're steaming.

HTH btw what part of Worcs are you in ? it's just gone really dark here in Worcester:eek:

kethry

you can't microwave them, at least, not to cook them (you can to re-heat them for eating on xmas day), but you can use a pressure cooker, if you have one, that will cut the cooking time by half. just make sure the bowl is standing on a trivet or something, so its not standing on direct heat. I do mine every year in a pressure cooker for 3 hours, whereas just steaming it takes 7 hours.

i've seen some threads asking if they can be done in a slow cooker, i'm not sure about that as i don't have one, that might be worth checking.

HTH

keth
xx

katskorner

They are totally raw. OK so if I slow cooker them how much water do I put in and what heat setting should I use? That would be an ideal option as I don't want to ruin them.

I am in W.Villages - and it is horrible outside here too!!

aurorahelios

I have 2 slow cooker recipe books one says 13 hrs on high for a 2 pint size and the other 6-7 hrs on high doesn't give a size. I would leave it in for about 8hrs then test with a skewer - if it comes out clean its cooked, if it not give it a few more hours.

thriftlady_2

I did mine on low for 8 hours;) and I poured water to about half way up the basin. I stood the basin on a metal biscuit cutter, though not sure whether that made any difference or not.

katskorner

I am going to slow cook it them tomorrow. Then when I go out they should be OK!! Fingers crossed!!! Thanks everyone for your help. As ever, this forum never fails!!

Kat.