Can you help save my Christmas puds?

[Lsflower]

So two days after stir up Sunday I've realised what went wrong - I didn't put the lid on the big pots I was steaming the puds in. I used Nigel Slater's recipe and when he said put lids on I just thought he meant the pudding bowl lids.

Can they be saved? The suet hasn't melted, that's how I knew something was wrong. Can I steam them again now, properly, and then steam again on Christmas Day? Or are they well enough cooked that they'll keep for Christmas Day and I just steam it then (but for how long)?

Or bin and start again? Any advice welcome please. First attempt at puds, I thought I'd done so well.

I’d try and resteam them. Have you made two?

I’d be tempted to eat one a few days after the resteaming. If it tastes ok then the other one will be fine for Christmas, and you can make a second, but if it’s not nice you’ll also know to ditch both and start again.

Well done anyway, OP- it’s trial and error when you start making Christmas puddings!

I think I’d re steam. They can take hours of steaming so I don’t think it would hurt. I wouldn’t waste them. Hopefully a more experienced pudding maker will be along soon and set you straight.

I think I'll resteam one tomorrow, see how it looks. I can taste it and see, then I still have the other one. I'm just worried that they've been in the cupboard two days only half cooked - at least I put extra brandy in.

Thanks so much, I'll give one a go tomorrow. This is why I rarely bake, so stressful.

They still will have had hours of cooking though so they should still be perfectly safe. Mmmm brandy... having one month free of wine in the run up to Christmas and I keep thinking of nice drinks....

I'd re steam them as soon as possible for the recommended time. Then follow Nige's instructions for Christmas Day.
If you want to taste test them after that, just cut a little off the top to sample. But you will be able to tell a lot by colour & smell.

Take any plastic lids off while they cool, repack with fresh dry greaseproof paper, you don't want any condensation/dampness on them whilst storing.

Don't worry, they will be fine!

Thank you Ada, am steaming away this morning with lids on!