This is a classic summer dessert for special celebrations. You definitely have to make it the day before serving. You can serve the pudding with ice-cream or whipped cream if preferred.
Berry Pudding
Ingredients
2/3 cup caster sugar
1/4 cup water
150g Creative Gourmet frozen Strawberries
300g Creative Gourmet frozen Raspberries
500g Creative Gourmet frozen Forest Fruits or Mixed Berries
300g Creative Gourmet frozen Blueberries
12 slices (approx.) 2-3 day old sliced white bread, crusts removed
Extra Creative Gourmet frozen Raspberries, to serve
Method
Combine sugar and water in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir until sugar dissolves and bring to the boil. Add all the frozen berries and cook, stirring often, for 3-4 minutes until glossy and just defrosted
Drain berries in a fine sieve over a large bowl to catch berry juices. Set aside to cool. Place 1/2 cup berry juice in an airtight container and refrigerate until ready to serve
Meanwhile, line a large loaf pan (base about 22cm x 11cm) with plastic wrap leaving a 15cm long overhang
Using whole slices of bread, dip one side of each slice into the remaining berry juices and press into the base of pan, slightly overlapping slices
Fill any gaps with dipped pieces of bread. Cut remaining bread in half, dip one side of each into berry juice and use to line the sides of the pan, overlapping edges on the sides and base, and pressing to seal
Spoon drained berries into prepared pan. Gently press to smooth surface
Turn bread edges over berries and top with remaining bread to seal and cover berries. Drizzle evenly with remaining berry juices. Cover with plastic wrap
Place pan on a tray, top with a tight fitting cover and weight with heavy objects (see tips)
Refrigerate overnight to allow the pudding to set
Tips & Hints
A deep loaf pan is ideal for this recipe and available from kitchenware shops. Standard large loaf pans are available from supermarkets.
Buy a loaf of sliced white 'sandwich' bread and leave at room temperature for 2-3 days before using the bread in the recipe.
To weight the pudding top with another loaf pan or plastic lid and use canned food for weights.
Low GI white bread works fine in this recipe, and for a healthier version serve with low fat custard or low fat vanilla yoghurt as an alternative to mascarpone cream.
Mascarpone Cream
Ingredients
250g mascarpone
2 tablespoons icing sugar, sifted
Method
Beat mascarpone and icing sugar in a bowl until smooth. Place into a serving bowl. Turn pudding out onto serving plate. Drizzle with reserved berry juices. Decorate with extra berries. Serve pudding with mascarpone cream
