Fig Recipes: Figgy Pudding

» Jojo - Figgy Pudding

This is the figgy pudding of Christmas Carol fame, all the way from the exotic British Isles!

1 cup dried black figs
1 & 1/2 to 2 cups dried fruit (raisins, prunes, apricots are good)
1 & 1/4 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 cup applesauce
1/2 to 3/4 cup brown sugar
2 Eggs
1 cup grated raw carrot
1 cup grated raw potato

• Cover the figs with boiling water and let stand about 10 minutes.
  
• Drain, and chop the fruit.
  
• Chop the other dried fruit in small pieces and combine.
  
• Combine the flour with the soda and spices.
• Add 1/2 cup to the dried fruits
  and mix.
  
• Beat the applesauce and the brown sugar together.
  
• Beat in the eggs.
  
• Add the grated vegetables.
  
• Gradually stir in the flour, beating until smooth.
  
• Mix in the dried fruits.
  
• Fill a large-sized pudding bowl 2/3 full and cover with a lid or foil.
  
• At this point many people choose to let their pudding sit for a few weeks to a month. This lets the flavours mingle and develop.
  
• An Irish alternative is to hang the pudding dough in cheesecloth in the shed. After 2 weeks of hanging, the pudding is taken down and put in a bowl.
  
• Stand the bowl on a rack or metal trivet in an inch of boiling water in a pot with a tight cover.
  
• Steam 2 hours, adding more boiling water if necessary. Serve hot, with white sauce innundated with brandy or rum.

-- posted by Jojo