What is the recipe for spotted dick pudding?

Spotted Dick Pudding: A Classic British Delight

Yields: 6-8 servings

Prep time: 15 minutes

Cook time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Ingredients:

For the pudding:

* 250g self-raising flour

* 1 tsp baking powder

* 50g suet (or vegetable shortening)

* 100g mixed dried fruit (sultanas, raisins, currants)

* 100g brown sugar

* 1 egg, beaten

* 150ml milk

* 1 tsp mixed spice (optional)

* Zest of 1 lemon (optional)

* Butter, for greasing

For the custard:

* 500ml milk

* 4 egg yolks

* 50g sugar

* 1 tsp vanilla extract

* Pinch of salt

Instructions:

Make the pudding:

1. Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).

2. Grease a 1.5L (6 cup) pudding basin.

3. Combine the flour, baking powder, suet (or shortening), dried fruit, brown sugar, egg, milk, spices (if using), and lemon zest (if using) in a large bowl. Mix well until a soft dough forms.

4. Pour the mixture into the prepared pudding basin.

5. Cover the top of the basin with a double layer of parchment paper and tie securely with string. This creates a tight seal.

6. Place the basin in a large saucepan with a trivet at the bottom.

7. Add enough water to the saucepan to come halfway up the sides of the pudding basin.

8. Bring the water to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 1 hour 30 minutes.

Make the custard:

1. While the pudding is cooking, make the custard.

2. In a saucepan, heat the milk over a medium heat. Do not boil.

3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, sugar, vanilla extract, and salt.

4. Slowly whisk the hot milk into the egg mixture.

5. Return the mixture to the saucepan and cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until the custard thickens. Do not boil.

6. Remove from heat and strain the custard through a fine-mesh sieve.

Serve:

1. Carefully remove the pudding basin from the saucepan and let it cool slightly.

2. Turn the pudding out onto a serving plate. The parchment paper should peel off easily.

3. Serve hot with a generous helping of custard.

Tips:

* For a richer flavor, you can use butter instead of suet (or shortening).

* If you don't have a pudding basin, you can use a large heatproof bowl.

* The custard can be made ahead of time and reheated before serving.

* To make the pudding even more decadent, top it with whipped cream or ice cream.

Enjoy your delicious and traditional spotted dick pudding!