Name: Christmas pudding
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 615 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: British
Ingredients: 55g suet, shredded; 110g dark brown sugar; 30g self-rising flour, sifted; 55g white breadcrumbs; 1/4 tsp ground allspice; 1/4 tsp ground clove; 1/8 tsp ground nutmeg; Pinch ground cinnamon; 140g currants; 55g sultanas; 55g raisins; 15g mixed candied peel; 15g blanched almonds, chopped; 1/2 small apple, peeled, cored, and finely chopped; Grated zest of 1/2 small orange; Grated zest of 1/2 small lemon; 1 tbsp rum; 35ml barley wine; 35ml stout, more if needed; 2 eggs; Brandy, for flambeing; Your favourite rum sauce, optional

1) The day before you want to steam the pudding: In a large bowl, thoroughly mix the suet, brown sugar, sifted flour, breadcrumbs, allspice, clove, nutmeg and cinnamon.

2) Gradually mix in the currants, sultanas, raisins, candied peel and almonds, followed by the apple and citrus zests.

3) In a small bowl, whisk together the rum, barley wine and stout, and then beat in the eggs. Pour this mixture over the dried fruit and nut mixture. Mix thoroughly. It should be somewhat loose; if it needs a little more liquid, add some stout. Cover the bowl and refrigerate overnight.

4) The following day, butter a 500ml pudding mould and pack the pudding mixture into it. Cover with a double piece of greaseproof paper and a sheet of foil and tie securely with a string across the top to make a handle.

5) Place the pudding mould in a covered steamer set over a saucepan of simmering water, and steam for 8 hours. Check the water level, adding boiling water as needed.

6) When the pudding is finished, let it cool and then remove the papers and foil. Replace with fresh paper and make a new string for easier maneuvering. Set in a cool place away from light (under the bed works well).

7) To reheat, set a saucepan with boiling water over a medium heat and put a steamer on top. Reduce the heat to a gentle simmer, set the pudding in the steamer, cover, and leave to steam for 2 1/4 hours. Top up the water a bit if necessary.

8) To serve, remove the pudding from the steamer and take off the wrapping. Slide a palette knife around the pudding, and then turn it out onto a warm plate. Garnish with a sprig of holly.

9) To flambe the pudding, warm a ladleful of brandy over direct heat, and when it is hot, carefully light the brandy. Place the flaming ladle over the pudding, but do not pour until at the table. When you do slowly pour it over the pudding, sides and all, watch it flame! Serve with rum sauce if desired.

This recipe was provided by professional chefs and has been scaled down from a bulk recipe provided by a restaurant. The Food Network Kitchens chefs have not tested this recipe, in the proportions indicated, and therefore, we cannot make any representation as to the results.