Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Insight on Christmas Pudding

What would be the perfect way to end a perfect Christmas dinner be? Why, with beautiful old fashioned Christmas pudding, of course! Came to England, where it is often called a magic pudding, different households have invented their own take on the must-have Christmas dessert.

Christmas pudding is traditionally a rich and luscious steamed pudding. It was a marriage of some of the most luxurious ingredients such as sweet spices, dried fruits and nuts, which gives it its unique flavor and taste. The dark appearance is caused by the longer cooking times, and the exotic ingredients that go into its preparation, particularly the black and dark molasses sugar.

The growth of the Christmas pudding

Although the Christmas pudding took final form as is often seen during the Victorian era, there was a lot of the time, even in a very different way. Requirements are used to force people to live in the 15th century to slaughter all the cattle in the autumn due to a lack of food. There are no preservatives then other than dried fruit and spices. The skin will not protect meat in large pastry case with preservatives (giving rise to another delicacy of Christmas mince pie) and then used to all the visitors who dropped in at Christmas feed.

However, as the true progenitor of the Christmas pudding is located, is the 'pulp, an ancient Roman delicacy to prepare meat and vegetables. The ingredients are thrown into a large kettle, slowly cooked for hours with the addition of dried fruit, sugar and spices.

Christmas pudding can also be a soupy porridge of origin to the 14th century the name "frumenty. It is usually made of beef and mutton with raisins, currants, prunes, wine and spices added. This is more of a meal consumed during fasting in the run up to Christmas fun.

The transition from savory to sweet!

During the Elizabethan period, plums began to be added to the basic recipe. Slowly, over time, the aromatic components in the brew began to fade as the ratio of sweetness increased. One simple reason is that the technology has begun the implementation of more efficient methods of meat preservation.

In the late 16th century, frumenty has "changed significantly and has expanded the space to the egg, breadcrumbs, beer and beverage. The pulp and 'frumenty' also soon began known as the "plum pudding, a name still known. In 1650, was the traditional Christmas dinners with dessert. Unfortunately, the Puritans banned the dish in 1664.

The plum pudding has a new lease of life when King George I made it a part of the Christmas dinner back in 1714. It was around the year 1830 to the plum pudding began certain relevant during the Christmas holly sprigs and used as icing on the cake in the pudding. Elizabeth Acton, a famous English poet and cook who lived at that time, is credited with the first dessert to refer to as "Christmas pudding" in his cookbook.

Christmas pudding tradition

In the early 19th century, the Christmas pudding is a lengthy affair. It is usually prepared weeks before Christmas, allowing the flavors to seep and adults. Still, although modern technology has dramatically less cooking time. Pudding used to be packed in a special pudding cloth and steamed hours. Served with a cream or hard sauce. The icing on the cake was added by pouring brandy over it and setting the dinner.

Stir-up Sunday

Christmas pudding is usually done at or immediately after the Sunday that preceded the arrival - which is nearly four to five weeks before Christmas.
In the 16th century, the Collect for the Sunday Book of Common Prayer of the Church of England states:

"Stir up, we beseech thee, O Lord, the will of your faithful people, that they plenteously, producing the fruits of good works, can you plenteously rewarded. With Jesus Christ, our Lord, Amen"

As a result, this day became known as 'stir-up Sunday'. It is compulsory for every member of the household, including children, give the pudding mixture a stir, and make a wish while doing it. A silver penny is thrown into the mix, believe it to bring prosperity to those who found it in the coming years.

Christmas pudding a surprisingly long shelf life, and many families are known not to return to eat on Easter?

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