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Almond Pudding

Almond pudding on white Victorian decorated plate. Serving of pudding on small white Victorian decorated plate topped with cream with silver spoon. Smal bowl of whole almonds. White tablecloth.

The almond originated in the Middle East and was adopted as a significant symbol in the Jewish and Christian faiths. In Egypt their importance was recognised when they were interred in Tutankamun’s tomb to sustain him in the afterlife. The cultivation of the almond spread throughout the Mediterranean in the early Middle Ages and became a central ingredient to many dishes. Not only the whole nut was used directly in dishes but almonds crushed and soaked with water made an excellent flavoursome substitute for dairy milk. Some recipes ask for the inclusion of ‘bitter almonds’ but as they contain cyanide they should be avoided. This recipe is based on Elizabeth Moxon’s in her English Housewifry (1764)

Equipment

  • 800ml pudding basin
  • 2 mixing bowls
  • Electric hand whisk
  • Baking paper
  • Kitchen foil
  • String
  • Large lidded saucepan

Preparation method

  • Grease the pudding basin with butter and place a buttered disc of baking paper in the bottom of the basin. This is to ensure the top of your pudding won’t stick when you turn it out.
  • Place the egg yolks and sugar in the large mixing bowl and beat with the electric hand whisk until thick and pale in colour.
  • Stir in the almonds, breadcrumbs, lemon zest and cinnamon until fully incorporated.
  • Pour in the melted butter and cream and beat into the mixture.
  • Place the pudding batter into the prepared pudding basin and cover with a disc of buttered baking paper.
  • Make a pleat in a piece of kitchen foil and cover the basin with it, ensuring that the pleat is placed at the centre of the basin.  Secure the foil with string tied under the rim of the basin, making sure you create a ‘handle’ with which you can remove the pudding from the hot water. 
  • Place the pudding in the large lidded saucepan and fill with boiling water two thirds up the sides of the pudding basin.
  • Cover the saucepan and steam for 2 hours making sure you check the level of the water and top up from the kettle if necessary.
  • Allow to cool slightly before removing from the hot water and turning out onto a serving dish.

Note: I tend to prefer to use a hand held electric whisk so the recipes refer to this, but you may prefer to use a stand mixer. Just use the beater for mixing cake batters and the whisk for egg whites and cream.
Tip: To make breadcrumbs the best way is to place chunks of bread into a blender (I use a Nutribullet) and whizz for up to a minute
Tip: Once you have separated the eggs for the egg yolks you can put the egg whites in a freezer bag or plastic container and pop in the freezer to use at a later stage (for meringues for example). They are best used within a few months
For tips and step-by-step instructions, see my guide on making puddings using a basin or mould.

Georgian

Serves:
8
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 15 minutes

Ingredients

  • 6 medium egg yolks
  • 170 g caster sugar
  • 226 g ground almonds
  • 40 g fresh white breadcrumbs
  • Grated zest of an unwaxed lemon
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 120 g butter melted
  • 280 ml double cream

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Almond Pudding
Serving Size
 
127 g
Amount per Serving
Calories
559
Percent of Daily Value*
Fat
 
45
g
69
%
Saturated Fat
 
19
g
119
%
Cholesterol
 
316
mg
105
%
Sodium
 
47
mg
2
%
Potassium
 
67
mg
2
%
Carbohydrates
 
33
g
11
%
Fiber
 
3.9
g
16
%
Sugar
 
2.1
g
2
%
Protein
 
11
g
22
%
Calcium
 
112
mg
11
%
Iron
 
1.7
mg
9
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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Keywords

Almonds