Rustle up a good pud...
It’s time to start thinking about those festive favourites
WHAT’S your favourite Christmas treat? Is it cake with marzipan and thick, white icing? Perhaps you like a chocolatey yule log or maybe rich, fruity Christmas pud?
Never mind that… Why am I talking about festive food when Christmas is still weeks away?
Well, the last Sunday in November is known as Stir-up Sunday, when Christmas puddings are traditionally made. I remember helping to mix Christmas pudding when I was little, stirring in a clockwise direction then making a wish before passing the spoon on to my sister.
Food writer, photographer and blogger Jane Dunn has written two best-selling recipe books featuring plenty of festive bakes.
Jane loves eating Christmas pudding but admits that she doesn’t always feel like making it so far in advance.
“Christmas pudding is one of those iconic dishes that, if I’m being honest, is not my favourite thing to make,” she says. “It’s having to remember when to start it, remembering when to feed it, and all sorts…”
She came up with her Cheat’s Christmas Pudding recipe so that she could enjoy plenty of pud without the prep. It can be made a just couple of days before Christmas and tastes as good as a pudding that has been lurking in a cupboard for weeks.
Jane says: “I make my Christmas pudding for all three days (Christmas Eve, Day and Boxing Day), as I can’t help myself!”
Does coming up with clever baking hacks give Jane more time to relax? Not at all!
“I start to think about Christmas menu ideas for the following year on Boxing Day, straight after Christmas!” she says. “Once the Christmas madness dies down, I like to think about what I’ve missed and what I can do differently next year.
“The ideas are endless… it’s so exciting.”