Does anyone have a recipe for fig pudding traditionally served at Christmas time - England?

Fig Pudding: A Traditional English Christmas Treat

Here's a recipe for fig pudding, a delightful and traditional English Christmas dessert:

Ingredients:

* 1 cup dried figs, chopped

* 1/2 cup raisins

* 1/2 cup currants

* 1/4 cup chopped candied peel

* 1/4 cup brandy or port wine (optional)

* 1/2 cup breadcrumbs

* 1/4 cup flour

* 1/4 cup sugar

* 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

* 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

* 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

* 1/4 teaspoon salt

* 1/2 cup suet (or butter)

* 1 egg, beaten

* 1/2 cup milk

Instructions:

1. Soak the dried fruit: In a bowl, combine the figs, raisins, currants, candied peel, and brandy (if using). Pour enough boiling water over the fruit to cover, and let sit for at least 30 minutes, or ideally overnight.

2. Prepare the pudding mixture: In a large bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, flour, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt.

3. Combine the ingredients: Drain the soaked fruit, reserving the liquid. Add the drained fruit, suet (or butter), and the egg to the dry ingredients. Stir well to combine. Gradually add the reserved soaking liquid and milk, stirring until a thick batter forms.

4. Cook the pudding: Grease a 1.5-liter (6-cup) pudding basin with butter or suet. Pour the batter into the basin. Cover tightly with a double layer of greased parchment paper and foil.

5. Steaming the pudding: Place the pudding basin in a large saucepan with a trivet or upturned plate at the bottom. Fill the saucepan with enough water to come halfway up the sides of the basin. Bring the water to a simmer, then reduce heat to maintain a gentle simmer. Steam the pudding for 6-8 hours, adding more water as needed.

6. Serving: Once cooked, allow the pudding to cool slightly before turning out onto a serving plate. Serve warm with a generous dollop of custard, brandy butter, or cream.

Tips:

* For a richer flavor, substitute half of the suet with butter.

* Traditionally, this pudding is made a few weeks in advance and steamed several times. This allows the flavors to develop and the pudding to become richer and denser.

* If you don't have suet, you can use breadcrumbs instead. Just add an extra tablespoon or two to the mixture.

* To reheat the pudding, simply steam it for another 30 minutes.

Enjoy your traditional English fig pudding!