'Stir up, we beseech thee, O Lord.'
The Book of Common Prayer
The opening words of The Book of Common Prayer, read on this Sunday before Advent. Since Victorian times, Stir-Up Sunday has traditionally been the day for the family to get together to make the Christmas pudding. Each family member must take a turn at stirring the pudding and making a wish.
This allows time for the pudding to mature before Christmas Day.
My favourite pudding is a recipe dating from 1845. This recipe is from Eliza Acton's Modern Cookery. It has become a seasonal favourite and its preparation is much anticipated.
I have discovered a modern twist to its preparation, as I now cook it in my slow cooker, rather than filling the kitchen with clouds of steam. This recipe makes two medium size puddings, so they are each steamed in turn after being covered in parchment paper and foil. Once steamed, they are well wrapped in fresh parchment and foil, before storage in a cool place until Christmas.
There is a huge sense of satisfaction in laying down delicacies in preparation for the festivities. I hope to add to my culinary collection in the coming weeks.
There is a huge sense of satisfaction in laying down delicacies in preparation for the festivities. I hope to add to my culinary collection in the coming weeks.
Your puddings sound wonderful and made from such an hisoric recipe. I usually make a pudding on stir up Sunday but I'm afraid that this year I just couldn't summon up the incentive to do it. We have bought a very small one for just the two of us:)
ReplyDeleteThank you Rosie. It is a delicious recipe and having eaten this pudding over recent years, it would be hard to contemplate going back to a bought one. We do end up with rather a lot of Christmas pudding though! Marie x
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