Moogie's Plum Pudding

Last winter a friend of Mom's asked me for Mom's Plum Pudding recipe.  It took a fair amount of digging through her recipe books and folders but finally I came upon a "xeroxed" recipe - a vintage copy where the print gradually vanishes as if written with disapearing ink. Most all of it was still, though faint, readable. By then it was early spring and hardly the time to post a winter holiday recipe. I probably won't make this since  Christmas Pudding is not as popular at our house now that Chris has taken over making holiday desserts, but given this blog is mainly for family this recipe, a medieval dessert cooked in a microwave oven,  deserves to be included.

I'm pretty sure this recipe contains the most ingredients of any recipe on this blog.  It also makes a huge amount. As I recall, Mom made a few smaller puddings for gifts, served some pudding at Christmas and took some to a New Year's Eve gathering she and Dad attended for many years.  I'd definately consider halving or even quartering the recipe though a partial recipe would probably result in lots of leftover ingredients.

"Recipe for Plum Pudding makes 4, 4 cup large puddings."

In a large mixing bowl, combine:

"12 oz raisins - or 1/2 lb
8 oz currants - 2/3 box
3 oz lemon peel
8 oz fruitcake fruit
3 oz orange peel
1 c dried bread crumbs
1/2 c apple, grated (1)
1/2 c carrot grated (1)
1/2 c potato (1 small) [assume potato is grated]
3/4 c candied pineapple
1/4 c + 2 TBL butter or 4 oz ground suet (I use butter) (kidney suet)
1 c sliced almonds
4 c flour (sifted)
1 1/2 c sugar
1/2 t ground cinnamon
1/2 t ground cloves
1/2 t ground nutmeg
1 c brandy
2 c apple cider"

Cover and let sit in a cool place overnight. Next day add

1 c molasses
1 3/4 t soda

"and stir into batter. [Pour batter into? - illegeible, ink vanished! Should the containers be buttered/"greased"? I would butter] any of the following containers:

A 4 cup glass measure [ing cup] makes the traditional high shape. A Pyrex casserole or bowl with a glass in the center makes a ringed shape, or a glass bread pan makes a loaf shape.

Fit 2 layers of brown paper into the bottoms of the molds. Fill molds 2/3 full with the batter.  Cover tightly with plastic wrap to get the steamed effect.

Microwave 10 to 15 minutes until top is almost dry and a toothpick comes out clean. Timing depends on shape and volume of mold. For best results cook one at a time and turn as it bakes.

To Store: [Remove from molds. ]Wrap in brandy soaked cheesecloth then in plastic wrap. Store in a cold place or freeze.

To Serve: Reheat, without unwrapping, in microwave oven 2 - 3 minutes.

Unwrap pudding, place on plate.  Dim lights. Carefully pour warm brandy over the pudding and light.

Serve with brandied hard sauce."


"HARD SAUCE

1/4 c butter
1 c conf[ectioners] sugar
1 t boiling H20
Salt
2 TBL Brandy

Cream together butter and sugar, add boiling H20, salt, Brandy. Beat til smooth and fluffy.

Hard sauce recipe should be triple or 4 times the above to serve with pudding."