Steaming Christmas puds (mini ones)

[OCdude]

I'm going to attempt to make Christmas pud this year (well, not a single huge one, but ~8 mini ones). In the past I've only ever microwaved them (which always seemed fine to me!).

Anyway, I no longer have a microwave, but I do have a steamer!

Most recipes (for a single pudding) usually say to steam it for about 5/6 hours, but I can't see any solid answer when it comes to mini puddings. My steamer came with a recipe book and in that, it has a recipe for a sponge pudding, to which it suggests steaming for 42 minutes (basically using the "rice" time).

So that leaves me with 2 questions:

1) How long should I steam them after making them (assuming that i'm making them today, well in advance of Christmas Day)

2) How long would they need to be "re-steamed" for, prior to stuffing into gobs? (I'm guessing just enough time so that they're warmed through... 15 mins or so?)

Any tips welcome!

Cheers

 

[Entropy]

I do not have a definite answer. Make slightly more pudding than required steam one for an hour see how it has cooked, increase/reduce cooking time. Having never made mini christmas puds I don't really know but i would think they take longer than a sponge pudding.

I would however say you have left it a little late for puddings this year, the flavour improves significantly the longer you leave them. Maybe double up the recipe and store half for next year whilst you are at it this year.

 

[RastaManBob]

I'm sure steaming must made a better pud (otherwise why would people go to the effort) but just had an individual one (shop bought) and for 40 secs in the microwave I couldn't knock it... Especially when the alternative was 30 mins steaming. If it were me I'd buy a microwave Even if only for the Christmas pudding alone, it has to be worth it! Yummy!