xmas puds in ramekins?

[lucysmam]

I know it's not traditional but have found some smal ramekins in Wilko's for £1 each that would be just the right size for my dad and Fil's xmas pud's to go in. Pyrex are a bit more expensive than I expected (my massive collection is all handed down from my MIL so have never bought any) & there's only the 3 of us who will eat xmas pud

Any thoughts on it? Should I continue my (so far unsuccessful) search for some 0.5l pudding basins with a Christmas theme or settle for the ramekins?

TIA

any thoughts anyone?

Could you investigate wrapping your puddings in muslin/cheesecloth before placing in a steamer, as the victorians/ Mrs Beeton used to do? Then they would be ball shaped! Have just consulted Mrs B's book, and she claims you can plunge the cloth wrapped pud into a pan of water and boil it like this for 5 hours! This is for a pud of 5lbs weight. Don't know how long it would take for small ones.

If you have to resort to a larger pud, you can fry leftover slices of it in butter another day!

May be something worth looking into girlywhirly, it'd lend itself to xmassy wrapping better than ramekins do!

What book was it in? I'll see if my library has it & have a read through. May be able to work out quantities and times for some smaller ones from it

You need to look at Mrs Beeton's Book of Household Management, originally published in 1859-61 in monthly editions, then compiled into a book! The language is a bit old fashioned, but as long as you can measure ingredients in pounds and ounces you'll be fine. She refers to the muslin fabric as a 'pudding cloth'.

You may be able to find out a bit more about this way of cooking a pudding online, you will definitely have to wash the cloth and rinse it well, and even boil it before you use it to remove anything that might taint the pudding. You will need to devise airtight wrapping when they are done, to keep them moist and prevent mould. I couldn't say how long they keep like this, the Victorians made their puds a few days before Christmas, but you could freeze them I suppose.

The book isn't all recipes, you should read the rearing of children section!!!!!

I'll have a look for it, thanks girly whirly.

I'm intrigued by the rearing of children section......maybe I could get a few pointers

lucysmam if and when you do figure out how to make the mini ones..can you come back and post it as im watching with interest for potential hamper addition for inlaws

Watching this for mini puds! Fab idea....

You can download Mrs Beeton for free from the Gutenberg project - I've just checked my ipad versin & the Christmas pudding recipe is no 1328.

Incidentally, Mrs Beeton also notes that " Moulds of every shape and size are manufactured for these puddings, and may be purchased of Messrs. R. & J. Slack, 336, Strand", but as this is now Citibank house, I feel they might be a little bemused by a request for pudding basins...