Indian Pudding

A New England tradition best served on a cold winter night and topped with vanilla ice cream or non-fat frozen vanilla yogurt.

MY GRANDMOTHER HOPE'S VERSION
(Attributed to her Mother)

1 quart scalded milk
2/3 c yellow corn meal
2/3 c dark molasses
1 egg
2 t flour
Salt
                                                        Cinnamon [~1t]
                                                        Butter

Cook well in double boiler. Put in baking dish with butter the size of a walnut. After baking one hour [in 350 degree F oven] add:

1 pint cold milk

And bake 2 hours longer in a very slow oven [drop to 300 degrees F - “crust” should form on top]

MICROWAVE QUICK VERSION

Technique adapted from (GE's) The Microwave Guide and Cookbook

In a 2 quart casserole, stir together

3 c milk
2/3 c dark molasses

Microwave at High 5 minutes. Remove from microwave and gradually stir into milk mixture

2/3 c yellow cornmeal
1 t cinnamon
1 t nutmeg

Cover. Microwave at High 14 minutes, stirring every 2-3 minutes until smooth and thickened. IF a softer consistence is preferred, at this time add

1 c milk

Microwave at Medium 4 to 6 minutes more. Let stand about 10 minutes before serving.


DURGIN PARK BAKED INDIAN PUDDING

This recipe (from the Durgin Park recipe brochure which I picked up when eating at this venerable Boston establishment several years ago) is included for historic reference only: "The fame of Durgin Park Indian pudding is world-wide. Long before Durgin, Park and Chandler took over the restaurant the pudding made according to this recipe was taken to sea by clipper ship captains who were restaurant patrons. It was made by chefs in ships’ galleys from Valparaiso to Hong Kong. The secret of its excellence lies in its slow and careful cooking." The Durgin Park version is way too sweet for my taste, and higher in cholesterol than other versions (more eggs and butter not to mention the suggestion of using lard). The prep time is problematic too.

1 c yellow granulated cornmeal
½ c black molasses
¼ c granulated sugar
¼ c lard or butter
¼ t salt
¼ t baking soda
2 eggs
1 ½ quarts hot milk

Mix all the ingredients with one half (3/4 quart) of the hot milk and bake in a very hot oven until it boils. Then stir in the remaining milk and bake in a slow oven heat for five to seven hours. Bake in stone crock, well greased inside.

Reviewed 5/21/17