The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Boggled by too many Christmas pudding choices? Here’s a few that you might like ...
Whatever your Christmas pudding requirements, the high street’s biggest stores have got you covered this year. From traditional to glitter-covered and puds with a twist, there are so many delectable delights to choose from. Here are our favourites. £7.99, Aldi in-store only
Aldi’s golden topped pudding is about as indulgent as Christmas pudding gets. It contains a plethora of tasty ingredients, including a mix of stout, port, brandy and orange liqueur, not to mention cherries, pecans and even a sprinkling of golden glitter sparkle. That glitter feels, dare we say it, a tad frivolous. But its gloriously rich, almondy taste screams Christmas. It’s particularly good with a touch of ice cream to take the edge off. £14, Waitrose
Supermarkets adding a ‘twist’ to traditional Christmas fare is risky business, but Heston has helped Waitrose pull a blinder here. This Middle Eastern marvel contains pistachios, apricots and pomegranate liqueur wrapped around an oozing honey and rose-butter centre. The liquid centre negates the need for cream, although it makes a perfectly good accompaniment if you so choose. If you want to polish off your celebration with a bang, this will certainly impress your guests. Not only does it taste divine, but its copper coating stands out from the other Christmas puddings. £8, Sainsbury’s
Despite the inclusion of cider, cognac, sherry, brandy and rum, this is not a Christmas pudding overpowered by any one element. Rather, this was a pudding with a rich flavour but excellent balance, being not overwhelmingly nutty, not over-saturated with fruit, and with a subtly bitter aftertaste that left a tang of Christmas in the mouth. Perhaps most importantly, this was a pudding that didn’t leave you feel as though a bag of cement was solidifying in your stomach afterwards – it’s a rare thing to find a Christmas pudding light enough to eat a proper portion of, but filling enough to send you comfortably into an afternoon snooze on the sofa. £2, Waitrose
The strength of the Remy Martini and Champagne cognac in this pudding is unmistakable – right from the first tear of the plastic film, but it does not overpower you. This dessert offers up a gelatinous texture, a combination of the fruits and jellied peel which, after a while, can be overwhelming. But the gritty crunch of the pecan nuts firms it up enough to create a pleasantly festive mouthful, and it pairs very nicely with fresh custard. £14, Marks & Spencer
A perfect combination of fruits and booze, this pudding cries out for cream or brandy butter to polish off your meal. Matured over 12 months, it is sticky, boozy and will keep you coming back for more, even if you are full to the brim with turkey. A pleasure to set alight for the full Christmas pudding effect.