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Christmas: Julia Child’s Glorious Christmas Pudding

Source of Recipe

“The Way to Cook,” by Julia Child (Knopf, 1989).


List of Ingredients

3 cups white bread crumbs, lightly packed (about a ½ lb. loaf, crust on)
1 cup black raisins
1 cup yellow raisins
1 cup currants, chopped
1 1/3 cup sugar
½ teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon mace
½ teaspoon nutmeg
8 ounces (2 sticks) butter, melted
4 large eggs, lightly beaten
few drops of almond extract
½ cup bitter orange marmalade

For flaming:
½ cup 151 rum or whiskey



Recipe

Toss the breadcrumbs in a large mixing bowl with the raisins, sugar and spices. Then toss with the melted butter, and finally with the rest of the ingredients.
To steam, you must use a container with a very tight lid, which will stay sealed throughout the cooking, about 6 hours.
Pack the pudding mixture into the container; cover with a round of wax paper and the lid. Set the container on the steamer in the pot, and add enough water to come a third of the way up the sides of the container. Cover the pot tightly, bring to a simmer, and steam about 6 hours. Check occasionally to make sure the water hasn’t boiled off.
The pudding is done when it is a dark walnut-brown color and fairly firm to the touch.
To serve, pour ½ cup of hot 151 rum or whiskey around the pudding. Flame at the table.
Yield: Makes 6 cups baked in an 8-cup mold, serving 12 or more