[Elaine G]

Looks like I will have to make a Christmas pudding this year - my first ever after 35 years of marriage
Can anyone point me towards a recipe that does not have nuts in. All the recipes I have seen seem to have them.
Or can I substitute something else for the nuts! ie more fruit?
Also a lot of recipes seem to contain beer, is this a good idea.
Sorry for sounding dim. Can't ask mum at the moment, (she has always made them before) as she is too stressed out with her own problems.

Thanks

Elaine

[Spana]

Yes just leave them out.  There isn't usually a lot of nuts  to make much difference but add something else instead if you want to.
The recipe I use says beer but the last few years I've used cider. I think Christmas pud is one of those things that will take a bit of messing about without altering the end result to much.

[Elaine G]

Sorry for the delay but thanks for the reply Spana. Still haven't had time to make one!

Elaine

[Siobhan]

Delia Smith has probably the best Christmas pudding recipe out there, never fails, just leave the nuts out, she puts stout in! think you need it to preserve the fruits and richen up the flavour.

[GrannieAnnie]

I prefer half a bottle of brandy in mine!  It flambe's well!! lol

I also do a microwave sometimes when turkey plucking takes its toll!  It's maybe not as dark as it could be, but tastes quite nice.

I always used to cook my puds in my pressure cooker too as it saves lots of time and electric!

[Spana]

Delia Smith has probably the best Christmas pudding recipe out there, never fails, just leave the nuts out, she puts stout in! think you need it to preserve the fruits and richen up the flavour.

Thats the one i've made since my daughter bought me the book in 1981.  She uses  stout and barley wine which is hard to get these days.  Past few years I've just used a can of cider and we like it better.  It makes a lovely pudding, still dark and moist but not so strong.
This year ive made one big pudding, any left over i cut into portions and freeze then microwave to heat up when we fancy it later in the year.

[Kleftiwallah]

Found a Christmas pudding at the back of the cupboard.  Will be nicely mature, sell by date is 2007 ! ! !  Dug out an old silver sixpence to press into it.  I'll try and manouvre that bit to the M.i.L.  Tee Hee.     Cheers,   Tony.