The Tale of the Christmas Pudding

Having met with looks of uncertainty and bewilderment whenever i had mentioned Christmas puddings, i had decided prior to the festive season that i would make one for our uneducated American cousins to try. So, armed with a recipe that my mother had been using for as long as i can remember (which she in turn received from a close friend - it had been the friends mother's), i set about trying to find the ingredients which (as i recall) i have already commented on - remember the suet? Anyway, i found all i needed (save for sultanas which are curiously absent from American shelves and met with the familiar blank looks when i ask about them) and made the pudding just before the holidays. I bought it in to work to cook (in the microwave) and then wrapped it up tight and popped it in a cool, dry place to mature.

So, with my second talk of the week being a bit more informal and, thankfully, just involving the two immediate groups of my bosses, i decided that it would be a good time to bring it in (that and the fact that i had a peek earlier this week and it was smelling pretty damn good!). Suffice to say, it vanished within minutes - and all plates were cleaned. They absolutely loved it here - and i've had many requests for the recipe. Having checked with Julie, who originally gave the recipe to my Mother, i'm going to pass it on to some of my American colleagues who are already talking about making it for their families either at Christmas this year - if not before so they can see what they're missing out on. Looks like this Christmas Pudding has only just started it's journey.