It's never too late for Christmas pudding when you have this quick microwave recipe in your cookbook.
Ingredients
250g (1 block) Fairy margarine, melted
500g mixed dried fruit
100g dried figs, trimmed and sliced
½ cup (60g) grated carrot (approx. 1 small carrot)
1 x 200g Granny Smith apple, peeled and grated (100g grated flesh)
1½ cups (130g) (approx. 4 slices) fresh white breadcrumbs
⅓ cup (50g) almond meal
⅔ cup (180g) dark brown sugar
¾ cup (110g) self-raising flour
½ teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon mixed spice
½ cup (125ml) Guinness
¼ cup (60ml) brandy
⅓ cup (80ml) orange juice
Zest of an orange
2 eggs, beaten
Vanilla custard to serve
Method
Grease a 2-litre microwave-safe pudding bowl or Pyrex mixing bowl with melted Fairy margarine. Line the base with a circle of baking paper. Set aside
Combine mixed dried fruit, figs, carrot and apple in a large mixing bowl. Add breadcrumbs, almond meal and sugar, and mix well
Sift together flour and spices and fold through dried fruit
Add Guinness, brandy, orange juice and zest to the cooled melted Fairy. Add beaten eggs and mix well. Fold into pudding mixture
Spoon into prepared pudding bowl. Cover the top with a double layer of baking paper
Insert a low rack or upturned saucer onto turntable of a microwave. Place pudding on top. Follow manufacturer’s instructions to reduce power to 40% and set the cook time for 35 minutes
At the end of the cooking time, the centre of the pudding will be soft and wobbly. It will be undercooked. This is normal and the pudding will continue to cook on standing. Stand in microwave with door closed for 15-20 minutes
Check pudding after standing by inserting a skewer in the centre. It should have a few sticky crumbs clinging to the skewer
Turn out onto a serving plate and serve warm with vanilla custard or cream
Tips & Hints
Microwaves will vary depending on the type, wattage and cavity size. This will affect cooking times. Always monitor the cooking process and asses the best cook time for your microwave.
Check pudding after 35 minutes of cooking and keep adding more time until the centre of the pudding (approx. 8cm) is not set and still wobbly.
When cooking with microwaves, allow food to stand for at least 15-20 minutes to finish cooking. The pudding will continue to cook upon standing.
Reheat pudding on 30% power for 5 minutes. Repeat until warmed through.
Always use a microwave safe rack or plate to elevate pudding off the turntable during cooking. This will ensure even cooking.
