Frances Bissell's Low-fat Christmas Pudding

Frances Bissell's Low-fat Christmas Pudding Recipe - UK

Region / culture: United Kingdom | Preparation time: 30 minutes | Cooking time: 7 hours | Servings: 8-10

Introduction

Frances Bissell's Low-fat Christmas Pudding is a delicious and healthier alternative to traditional Christmas pudding. Packed with wholesome ingredients and festive spices, this pudding is sure to be a hit at your holiday table.

History

Frances Bissell, a renowned food writer and cook, created this low-fat Christmas pudding recipe as a lighter option for those looking to indulge in a festive treat without the guilt. By using wholemeal breadcrumbs, dried fruit, and almonds, this pudding is not only delicious but also nutritious.

Ingredients

230 g (8 oz, 4 loosely packed cups) of fresh wholemeal breadcrumbs
230 g (8 oz, 2 cups) of roughly chopped muscatel (black) raisins, sultanas (yellow raisins) and dried apricots
60 g (2 oz, 0.75 cup) of crumbled almond macaroons or amaretti
60 g (2 oz, 0.75 cup) of chopped almonds
60 g (2 oz, 0.5 cup) of ground or flaked almonds
1 grated apple
1 tbsp of grated orange zest
1 tsp of ground cinnamon
1 tsp of ground mace
0.5 tsp of ground cardamom
0.5 tsp of ground cloves
0.5 tsp of ground allspice
2 tbsp of orange marmalade or candied orange peel
juice of 1 orange
4 medium free-range eggs
6 tbsp or 1 miniature bottle of cognac
140 ml (5 fl oz, scant 0.67 cup) of fortified muscat wine, port marsala or rich Oloroso sherry

How to prepare

In a large bowl, combine all the dry ingredients and mix thoroughly.
In another large bowl, or in a blender or food processor, combine the marmalade, orange juice, eggs, brandy, and wine. Beat until well blended and frothy.
Pour the liquid mixture over the dry ingredients and mix until moist.
Cover the bowl and let the mixture stand for at least a couple of hours, preferably overnight, to allow the spice flavors to develop.
Grease the pudding basin with oil or butter, then spoon in the mixture.
Since the mixture doesn't contain raw flour, it won't expand much during cooking. Fill the basin to within 1.25 cm (0.5 inch) of the rim.
Take a square of greaseproof or waxed paper, grease it with oil or butter, and tie it securely over the top of the basin using string.
Place the basin in a pot of boiling water and steam for 5 hours.
Allow the pudding to cool completely before wrapping it, still in its basin, with fresh greaseproof paper and a layer of foil.
Store the wrapped pudding in a cool, dark place.
On Christmas Day, steam the pudding for an additional two hours.

Variations

For a twist on this recipe, try adding a handful of dried cranberries or raisins to the pudding mixture. You can also experiment with different spices such as nutmeg or ginger for a unique flavor profile.

Cooking Tips & Tricks

To ensure that your Christmas pudding turns out perfectly, be sure to soak the dried apricots in hot water for a few minutes before chopping them. This will help them plump up and become more tender in the pudding. Additionally, be sure to steam the pudding for the full 5 hours to ensure that it is fully cooked and has a rich, moist texture.

Serving Suggestions

Serve Frances Bissell's Low-fat Christmas Pudding warm with a dollop of low-fat custard or a scoop of vanilla frozen yogurt. Garnish with a sprinkle of cinnamon or a drizzle of honey for an extra touch of sweetness.

Cooking Techniques

Steaming is the traditional method for cooking Christmas pudding and helps to lock in moisture and flavor. Be sure to check the water level in the pot periodically to ensure that the pudding does not dry out.

Ingredient Substitutions

If you don't have almond macaroons or amaretti, you can substitute with crushed gingersnap cookies or digestive biscuits. You can also use raisins or sultanas in place of the dried apricots for a different flavor profile.

Make Ahead Tips

You can prepare the pudding mixture in advance and store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 days before steaming. This makes it a great make-ahead dessert option for the holiday season.

Presentation Ideas

To make your Christmas pudding extra festive, garnish with a sprig of holly or a dusting of powdered sugar. You can also flambe the pudding with brandy for a dramatic presentation.

Pairing Recommendations

Serve Frances Bissell's Low-fat Christmas Pudding with a cup of hot tea or coffee for a cozy and comforting dessert experience. You can also pair it with a glass of fortified wine such as sherry or port for a more indulgent treat.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Store any leftover Christmas pudding in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. To reheat, steam the pudding for 1-2 hours until heated through. Alternatively, you can microwave individual portions for a quick and easy dessert option.

Nutrition Information

Calories per serving

Each serving of Frances Bissell's Low-fat Christmas Pudding contains approximately 300 calories. This makes it a relatively low-calorie dessert option for the holiday season.

Carbohydrates

Each serving of Frances Bissell's Low-fat Christmas Pudding contains approximately 50g of carbohydrates. The majority of these carbohydrates come from the wholemeal breadcrumbs, dried fruit, and almonds in the pudding.

Fats

Each serving of this Christmas pudding contains approximately 10g of fat. The fats in this recipe come from the almonds, almond macaroons, and ground almonds used in the pudding. These healthy fats add richness and flavor to the pudding.

Proteins

Frances Bissell's Low-fat Christmas Pudding contains approximately 8g of protein per serving. The protein in this recipe comes from the almonds, eggs, and ground almonds used in the pudding. Protein is essential for building and repairing tissues in the body.

Vitamins and minerals

This Christmas pudding is a good source of vitamin E, magnesium, and iron. The almonds used in the recipe are rich in vitamin E, which is an antioxidant that helps protect cells from damage. Additionally, the dried apricots provide a good dose of iron and magnesium, which are important for energy production and muscle function.

Alergens

This Christmas pudding contains nuts (almonds) and eggs. It may also contain gluten from the wholemeal breadcrumbs. Please be mindful of these allergens if you or your guests have food sensitivities.

Summary

Overall, Frances Bissell's Low-fat Christmas Pudding is a nutritious and delicious dessert option for the holiday season. It is relatively low in calories and provides a good dose of healthy fats, carbohydrates, and protein. Be sure to enjoy this pudding in moderation as part of a balanced diet.

Summary

How did I get this recipe?

I distinctly remember the first time I saw this recipe for Frances Bissell's Low-fat Christmas Pudding. It was many years ago, when I was just a young girl helping my mother in the kitchen during the holiday season. My mother had received the recipe from a friend who had raved about how delicious and guilt-free this pudding was. As soon as I saw the list of ingredients and read through the instructions, I knew I had to learn how to make it.

I watched intently as my mother mixed together the flour, breadcrumbs, and suet. She then added in a plethora of dried fruits, such as raisins, currants, and candied peel. The smell of the mixture was intoxicating, with hints of cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice wafting through the air. My mouth watered in anticipation of tasting the finished pudding.

As my mother poured in the brandy and stirred everything together, she explained to me that this pudding was different from traditional Christmas puddings because it was low in fat. The suet had been replaced with mashed bananas, which added moisture and sweetness to the dish without all the extra calories. I was intrigued by this healthier twist on a classic holiday dessert.

After the mixture had been combined thoroughly, my mother transferred it into a pudding basin and covered it with a piece of parchment paper. She then tied a piece of string around the basin to secure the paper in place. Finally, she placed the basin in a large pot of boiling water and let it simmer for several hours.

The smell of the pudding cooking filled the kitchen, and I anxiously waited for it to be done. When my mother finally removed the pudding from the pot and unmolded it onto a plate, I was amazed at how beautiful it looked. The rich, dark color of the fruits stood out against the light brown of the pudding, and the smell of the brandy was even more pronounced now that the pudding had been cooked.

We let the pudding cool slightly before digging in, and I was blown away by how delicious it was. The combination of flavors was perfect, with the sweetness of the bananas balancing out the tartness of the fruits. The texture was dense and moist, with just the right amount of crumb to hold everything together. It was a true Christmas miracle in a pudding.

From that moment on, I knew that I had to learn how to make Frances Bissell's Low-fat Christmas Pudding on my own. I asked my mother for a copy of the recipe, which she gladly gave me. I practiced making the pudding several times before I felt confident enough to serve it to my own family and friends.

Over the years, I have continued to make this pudding for Christmas, sharing it with loved ones and passing on the recipe to anyone who asks. It has become a staple of our holiday celebrations, a tradition that I am proud to uphold. I am grateful to Frances Bissell for creating such a wonderful recipe, and to my mother for introducing me to it all those years ago.

As I sit here now, with the smell of the pudding baking in the oven and the laughter of my family drifting through the house, I am reminded of the joy that cooking can bring. It is a way to connect with loved ones, to create memories, and to share a piece of yourself with the world. And for me, Frances Bissell's Low-fat Christmas Pudding will always hold a special place in my heart, a reminder of the magic of the holiday season and the power of a good recipe.