Steaming Christmas pudding - any alternative?

[PrincessOfWails]

How do you do it? I only have a normal oven (no aga or anything like that!) and I have a large pudding bowl, like this, quite sizeable.

How should I steam the pudding? I don't have a big enough saucepan, and it takes hours! Is there any short cut?

It can go in a slow cooker, if you have one.

Do you have a microwave? If so that is much the best way. Only takes a couple of minutes (depending on size, obv) and oworks really well.

No, no slow cooker either (but my sister has one - I'd have to make a gluten free version for her though: might be worth the exchange!)

Grimma I'm interested. I've heard tales of deadly puddings catching fire in microwaves (but I'm sceptical). I know microwaves make lovely steamed sponges. How do I do it?

If its a bought pud, nowadays it will almost certainly have the microwave timing on it. If not... I don't know how to work it out, I think I'd look for a similar one in the shops and read its label. Or google...

I've never had any trouble - it may be that some people can't believe how blumming quick it is compared with steaming, and overdo it! Puds are full of all the sorts of molecules which get really excited by microwaves so they heat exceptionally quickly!

I was going to make my usual Christmas pud, the Delia one, from scratch, but looking for an alternative to steaming it. So, I would have a wet mix which needs to cook through. I have in the past made a similar one, an old Stork recipe (like the butter!) which involved a microwave at various stages.

Borrow the slow cooker and stick it in that - I normally leave mine in (water up halfway) for about 16 hours ......

Then on xmas day just whack it in microwave to heat threw. I'm doing a GF one as well as a normal one

You can steam them in the oven- I tried it last time, what A revelation so much less hassle.

Have a look at this thread about half way down.

Here's an alternative Christmas pudding to be done in the microwave.