Friday Recipe - Fiona's Quick Christmas Pud

Christmas pud is sometimes just too heavy especially when it's hot - what you want is something that has the flavour but not the heaviness - try this nice and quick pud.

What you need:

1 Cup milk
1.5 (one and a half) cups mixed dried fruit
1 Tablespoon butter
2 Tablespoons Sugar
1 Teaspoon Mixed Spice
1 Teaspoon Cinnamon
1 Cup Self Raising Flour
1 Teaspoon Bicarb of Soda

What to do:

1. Mix the fruit, milk, butter and sugar in a saucepan.
2. Bring to the boil and then add the bicarb of soda
3. Allow to cool
4. Sift in Flour and spices
5. Transfer to a 1 litre pudding basin and steam for 1.5 (one and a half) hours.

serve with cream or custard. For the special touch gently warm a tablespoon of brandy over a candle or in the microwave (take great care not to spill it and set fire to the table cloth!) tip over the turned out pudding - darken the room and light with a match. - it gives a extra bit of oomph to the pudding.