STEAMED DATE AND NUT PUDDING

STEAMED DATE AND NUT PUDDING

A Steamed Pudding, served warm, is the ultimate comfort dish on a cold or rainy day. Often made as a dessert for dinner, steamed puddings can be made with a variety of tastes. Steamed Plum Pudding and Steamed Ginger Puddings are generally made at Christmas time. But a Steamed Date and Nut Pudding could be enjoyed at any time of the year. The pudding could be made and stored in the fridge. Just before serving, steam it once again for a few minutes so that its nice and warm. It could be served with any sweet sauce or Custard Sauce or just sprinkled with caster sugar. Sharing an easy recipe for Date and Mixed Nut Pudding that I’ve been using over the years. I’ve spread a layer of Apricot Jam on top.

Serves 6

Ingredients

250 grams pitted dates
100 grams mixed nuts such as walnuts, almonds, etc., chopped coarsely

1 cup water

1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda / Baking Soda

5 tablespoons unsalted butter

1 cup caster sugar

3 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup flour

¼ cup bread crumbs

Boil the dates and water in a saucepan on medium heat, till the dates soften.

Remove from heat and allow it to cool. Once cold, puree it in a blender and remove any sediments.

Meanwhile cream the butter and sugar together till smooth. Add the eggs one at a time and vanilla extract and mix to a very smooth consistency.

Add the date puree and mixed nuts and mix well.

Slowly add the flour, baking soda and bread crumbs and mix gently.

Grease a 1.5 litre pudding bowl and pour the mixture into the bowl.

Cover the pudding with a greased piece of greaseproof paper or foil.

Put the bowl inside a covered steamer or pressure cooker and steam for about one and half hours till the pudding is cooked. Test by inserting a toothpick.

If desired spread a layer of apricot jam on top or just sprinkle castor sugar on top.

Serve the pudding warm with vanilla sauce or ice cream