Christmas pudding

[Mikey]

Christmas pudding is something I've heard about many times on TV, movies and books but I've never tried --- or even had the opportunity to try.

So in the UK pudding is more of a cake ? --- as opposed to pudding in the US being more of a jello-y-ish desert. ?

Always wanted to try some but it's almost impossible to find around these parts.

Questions,

Does it contain meat ? --- or just meat fats and juices ?

Is it always lit afire before served ?

[LonnieFisher]

Are you talking about figgy pudding?

[Mikey]

Are you talking about figgy pudding?

Yes !!!

Just googled it … the same thing as Christmas pudding.

Never tried or even seen it other than on TV.

Round these parts (The Poconos) most everything food is centered around Dutch/German cuisine ---

Not counting our local Cornish legend known as Mister Pastie … (Search Mr Pastie for the BEST pasties EVER !!!)
No, did not get paid for that endorsement

[LonnieFisher]

I just checked the ingredients and it isn't vegetarian. I've never eaten it and I guess I never will.

[Mikey]

Tried doing the vegetarian route back in the 80's (for a few months)

Left me starving and having uncontrolable bowel movements … (in other words, I'd sh_t my pants at any given time)

Today, for me, would rather eat some meat

[LonnieFisher]

I'm not sure how long I've been a vegetarian, but it's been over twelve years. No way could I be a vegan, though. I love cheese and many things made with it.

[Duncan]

I went fairly deep into puddings and fruitcakes this year, and at last count I had 9 kinds of pudding and 13 kinds of fruitcake in the house/fridge. As far as I'm concerned, pudding & fruitcake are pretty similar final products; they're basically cake with fruit & nuts. The difference is that puddings are steamed while fruitcakes are baked...and traditional puddings have suet. I don't know whether the ones i buy have suet, or not. I don't see why they couldn't be made vegetarian.

I think the traditional pudding is mostly raisin, and "figgy"is a misnomer. I've had some heavy with fig, and they're OK but monotonous. Like, after 2-3 bites I'm ready for something else. But, I don't see why they can't be made with whatever fruit/booze combo sounds good. I've had chocolate & Guinness w/ orange, applesauce, etc. I did flame a small fig pudding on Christmas this year with cognac. It looked cool for a few seconds, but didn't really do much for me. I dunno...I'm from Philly and currently in Ohio. I suspect that our UK friends have better insight. I feel like I'm leaving things out, like the idea of letting puddings age & periodically adding more booze.

[LonnieFisher]

I went fairly deep into puddings and fruitcakes this year, and at last count I had 9 kinds of pudding and 13 kinds of fruitcake in the house/fridge. As far as I'm concerned, pudding & fruitcake are pretty similar final products; they're basically cake with fruit & nuts. The difference is that puddings are steamed while fruitcakes are baked...and traditional puddings have suet. I don't know whether the ones i buy have suet, or not. I don't see why they couldn't be made vegetarian.

I think the traditional pudding is mostly raisin, and "figgy"is a misnomer. I've had some heavy with fig, and they're OK but monotonous. Like, after 2-3 bites I'm ready for something else. But, I don't see why they can't be made with whatever fruit/booze combo sounds good. I've had chocolate & Guinness w/ orange, applesauce, etc. I did flame a small fig pudding on Christmas this year with cognac. It looked cool for a few seconds, but didn't really do much for me. I dunno...I'm from Philly and currently in Ohio. I suspect that our UK friends have better insight. I feel like I'm leaving things out, like the idea of letting puddings age & periodically adding more booze.

I'm allergic to alcohol, so no booze pudding for me.

[Bruce Banner]

Traditionally, a coin was also hidden inside the pudding, including old silver farthings, pennies, sixpence pieces, etc.
(And yeah, that's as dangerous as it sounds!)

[Mikey]

Traditionally, a coin was also hidden inside the pudding, including old silver farthings, pennies, sixpence pieces, etc.
(And yeah, that's as dangerous as it sounds!)

Reminds me of Stymie's "hmm, wow" cake