Figgy pudding is a delicious British Christmas pudding made by a combination of figs, dates, apples, and various spices. The pudding is sometimes dipped in rum and can be either made by baking or steaming. Since figgy pudding contains fruit, it looks very much similar to a fruit cake. These fruits puddings are very common during Christmas and New Year and are very much liked by children and adults for their sweet taste and flavor.
History and Origin of Figgy Pudding Recipe
Figgy pudding is said to have its origin in England in 15th century. The traditional figgy pudding recipe is said to have resulted from other puddings such as fygeye, crustades, sippets, crème boiled custard or figge. This pudding however, became popular in the 19th century. The other names of figgy pudding are Christmas pudding, plum pudding and steamed pudding.
Method of Preparation And Ingredients Prescribed by Figgy Pudding Recipe
To make this Christmas pudding, the ingredients needed are breadcrumbs, suet, sultanas, currants, raisins, dark sugar, candied fruit, flour, orange juice and rind, eggs, rum, seasoning and spices. For making this delicious Christmas pudding, all the ingredients are except figs are mixed to make a smooth batter. The figs are first boiled until soft, and then added to the batter. The batter is put in the heated oven and steamed for four to five hours. Once done, the pudding is left for few hours to settle. The pudding should have a crisp crust but should be soft and mushy from within. Before serving, it is decorated and is glazed in rum or brandy.Pour this mixture into a greased metal bowl or mold that can be placed on the pan of boiling water without falling in, and carefully place the bowl over the boiling water.
Serving of Figgy Pudding
Figgy pudding is usually served as a snack or dessert. The pudding is divided into thin slices and served with hot beverages like tea and coffee or cold drinks like wine. Some people like to have this pudding with jam spread on it or with whipped cream.
Variations of Figgy Pudding Recipe
There are a lot many variations for figgy pudding. This traditional pudding recipe is quite similar to a carrot cake recipe with figs, dates and apples used for adding the flavor and taste. The spices of carrot cake like cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice were used for making this delicious pudding in olden times. However, in the present times, breadcrumbs or a bread containing fig is used for this pudding recipe. Instead of suet which is a form of fat, butter and shortening is sometimes used for making figgy puddings. Steaming was a much used process earlier, but now these puddings can be fried and even baked.
Nutritional Value of Figgy Pudding Recipe
The figgy pudding makes use of fruits, nuts and spices. The main ingredient of this pudding is fig, which provides potassium, phosphorus, calcium, thiamine and riboflavin that are quiet beneficial for human body.
Trivia- Figgy Pudding Recipe
The name of the dish Figgy Pudding was first used in the Christmas song “We wish you a merry Christmas”.
