Spotted Dick got its name because of the raisins spotted through it and because "dick" was slang for pudding
Spotted Dick Pudding is sometimes known as Spotted Dog Pudding because the modern association of the word "Dick", especially in view of it's traditional cylindrical shape, can cause embarrassment
It makes a wonderful dessert for cold winter days.
The dessert can either be boiled or steamed in a pudding cloth or steamed in a pudding bowl.
I have even heard that some people bake it in the oven.
I have given the ingredients and method for the cylindrical version, with changes for the pudding bowl version
This is why the recipe seems so long, but don't worry, you only have to choose one of the 3 methods
Spotted Dick Pudding Ingredients
2 eggs
8 oz [225g] self-raising flour
Pinch salt
3 oz [85g] castor [superfine] sugar
8 oz [225g] shredded suet
8 oz [225g] currents, or raisins, or sultanas, or a combination
Zest of 1 lemon
1 cup [250ml] milk [slightly more may be needed]
Making the Spotted Dick Pudding
Beat the eggs in a small bowl
Sieve the flour, and salt into a large bowl
Add the sugar and stir to combine
Add the suet and combine until the mixture resembles small pellets, about the size of coarse ground meal
Add in the currents/raisins/sultanas and lemon zest, stir to mix
Add in the beaten eggs, mix well
Then slowly add in the milk and keep mixing until the ingredients are all incorporated
Knead until a slightly sticky dough is formed, if too wet add more self raising flour
Roll out the dough into a thick cylinder, of a length which will fit into your steamer or boiling utensil. The dough should still be slightly sticky
To Steam Spotted Dick in a Steamer
Wrap the dough in 2 layers of parchment paper and seal tightly, by twisting the ends of the paper
Place in a steamer and steam for 1¾-2 hours.
To Steam Spotted Dick in a cloth
Wrap the pudding package in a piece of muslin cloth, or a thin, clean tea towel, using string to tie the ends
Place the pudding pakage on a rack, so it is an inch or two [a few centimeters] above the bottom of the saucepan/utensil , which you are using for the boiling.
Fill the pan whith boiling water, ensuring that the pudding package is fully immersed.
Place the lid on the pan and boil the Spotted Dick Pudding for approximately 2 hours.
You must check the level of the water every so often to ensure the Spotted Dick remains covered.
To check if the Spotted Dick Dessert is done, unwrap and insert a skewer, it should come out clean and hot.
To Steam Spotted Dick In a Pudding Bowl
Insofar as steaming in a pudding bowl is concerned, you need more milk, probably ½ a pint [300ml] or slightly more
Further you proceed as for the cylindrical pudding, except you should have a mixture of a soft dropping consistency which you do not knead.
Spoon the mixture into a greased pudding basin
Butter a sheet of greaseproof paper, pleat it and place on top of the pudding basin, buttered side towards the pudding mixture
Pleat a sheet of foil, of the same size as the greaseproof paper and place on top of the greaseproof paper
Fasten the foil under the rim of the basin by tying a string tightly around it
Loop the string over the top of the basin to make a secure handle for lifting
Place the basin on a stand or upturned ovenproof plate in a large saucepan or Dutch Oven
Pour in enough boiling water to reach ½ way up the side of the pudding basin
Heat until the water simmers steadily
Cover the saucepan with a tight fitting lid and steam the pudding for 2½ hours
Check the water level every ½ hour. Top up with boiling water when required
Ensure that the saucepan does not boil dry
Check the Pudding is ready by unwrapping and inserting a skewer into the middle of the pudding
If the dessert is done the skewer should come out clean
Serve the Spotted Dick Pudding for dessert, with custard, lip smacking good.
Try out some more of Africhef's [That's me!] favorite pudding recipes, place your mouse cursor on the menu & pick one or more!
