Christmas Pudding

buildersdaughter

I think OP was bothered about how to steam the puddings initially - presumably he usually puts one in a saucepan or small steamer and just boils it. Most ordinary saucepans wouldn't have room for 2 x 1lb. size basins side by side.
I hope you now have some alternatives to consider.

Your post has reminded me of my childhood when my mother made huge quantities of Xmas puddings for the family, other relative and neighbours. One of her favourite things was to make individual puddings in old teacups. The bigger ones would be tied up & suspended over the 'copper' that heated the water for washing in the outhouse, whilst the smaller ones steamed in the jam pan.

MandM90

buildersdaughter wrote: »

I think OP was bothered about how to steam the puddings initially - presumably he usually puts one in a saucepan or small steamer and just boils it. Most ordinary saucepans wouldn't have room for 2 x 1lb. size basins side by side.
I hope you now have some alternatives to consider.

Your post has reminded me of my childhood when my mother made huge quantities of Xmas puddings for the family, other relative and neighbours. One of her favourite things was to make individual puddings in old teacups. The bigger ones would be tied up & suspended over the 'copper' that heated the water for washing in the outhouse, whilst the smaller ones steamed in the jam pan.

Tell me more about the teacups!! Are they steamed in the teacups? How? Sounds like an amazing Xmas pressie!

buildersdaughter

Yes, this was the days before charity shops. She would do them as a gift for her aunts and a few neighbours. The teacups would have been any of ours that had their saucers broken (this was the days before mugs were acceptable!) and some from jumble sales. Some people carefully returned them 'for next year'!
Just the same as any Xmas pudding, make sure the cup isn't cracked.Obviously you steam for a shorter time and I can't remember how long, but Xmas pudding is very forgiving, so I'd just have a guess!

MandM90

buildersdaughter wrote: »

Yes, this was the days before charity shops. She would do them as a gift for her aunts and a few neighbours. The teacups would have been any of ours that had their saucers broken (this was the days before mugs were acceptable!) and some from jumble sales. Some people carefully returned them 'for next year'!
Just the same as any Xmas pudding, make sure the cup isn't cracked.Obviously you steam for a shorter time and I can't remember how long, but Xmas pudding is very forgiving, so I'd just have a guess!

I think I'm going to try this - will report back!!

2childmum

One year we made little puddings in old small tins (the half sized ones - I think we ate loads of baked beans in order to free the tins!) I was thinking about doing this again, but I can't remember exactly how we did it. I will have to go back through my Christmas folder and see if I made a note there. They were good for pressies.




Thinking about it it might have been Christmas cakes we did, not puddings!

buildersdaughter

Sounds great! I have done small Xmas puds in small tins, and I do small cakes as well in various tins I have gathered, but never thought of those small tins of beans. Some of you know that I do a butterbean hummus in summer, so next summer will save those small tins.
I have, in recent years, found that many people love to buy a small cake or pud - tastes have changed, and so many people now say that the traditional cakes or puds are too rich or heavy, nd a lot of families won't go to the expense and bother for one or two people.
I make the small cakes (and occasionally puds) for fund raisers,and find people will buy them saying 'oh, that will be just nice for mum / auntie / gramps to enjoy'.

As for cooking - I suggest that you use a cake thermometer to check they are done.

Olliebeak1951

I'm the only one in the family that actually LIKES Christmas Pudding - and I've been diagnosed as Coeliac . I've bought a single-serving Gluten Free Pud from Mr T's. I usually get a single-serving Chocolate Steamed Pudding for OH as he prefers those.

meanmarie

KAH, you can steam your pudding in a 2lb bowl for the relevant length of time and, as soon as it is cooked and still hot, decant it into your 2 smaller bowls..... the mix will still be quite crumbly while hot and will mould itself to the bowls as it cools..... my SIL used to do this in the days when we made huge puddings and it worked fine.

HTH.

Marie

PollyWollyDoodle

Ooh well I never knew that! Thanks, worth knowing.