Graham Pudding Recipe
Graham pudding is a wholesome and satisfying dessert that combines the richness of molasses, the warmth of spices, and the chewy sweetness of raisins and currants. This old-fashioned steamed pudding is an ideal treat for cool evenings, especially when served with a flavorful sauce. Here's a detailed guide on how to make this rustic yet delicious dish.
Ingredients for Graham Pudding
- 1 1/2 Cupfuls of Graham Flour: Graham flour is a type of whole wheat flour, adding a hearty and nutty flavor to the pudding while keeping it moist and dense.
- 1 Egg: The egg helps bind the ingredients and adds structure to the pudding.
- 1 Teaspoonful of Soda: Baking soda is the leavening agent, giving the pudding a light rise during the steaming process.
- 1/2 Cupful of Molasses: Molasses adds a deep, robust sweetness with a slight bitterness that balances the rich flavors of the pudding.
- 1/2 Cupful of Raisins and Currants, mixed: These dried fruits add little bursts of sweetness throughout the pudding.
- 1/2 Cupful of Milk: Milk provides moisture and helps blend all the ingredients together.
- 1/4 Cupful of Butter: Melted butter adds richness and a smooth texture to the pudding.
- Salt and Spice (to taste): Salt is essential for balancing sweetness, while warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, or allspice bring out the flavors of the molasses and fruits.
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Graham Pudding
Step 1: Prepare the Molasses Mixture
Start by stirring the baking soda into the molasses. This will create a bubbly reaction that lightens the texture of the molasses, which is essential for the pudding’s rise. The soda helps neutralize some of the molasses’ bitterness while giving the dessert a lovely, soft texture.
Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients
In a separate bowl, beat the egg until it's light and fluffy. Add this beaten egg into the molasses mixture. Then, slowly pour in the milk, mixing it well. The milk helps to blend everything together smoothly, ensuring that the dry ingredients can be incorporated evenly later. Add a pinch of salt and your chosen spices to the mixture. Spices like cinnamon, ginger, or nutmeg are common choices, but you can adjust them based on your preference.
Step 3: Add the Butter and Flour
Melt the butter and stir it into the wet mixture, ensuring it's evenly combined. The butter will add a rich, moist texture to the pudding, balancing out the density of the graham flour. Gradually fold in the graham flour, mixing just enough to combine everything without overworking the batter. Overmixing can make the pudding dense rather than soft and tender.
Step 4: Prepare the Fruits
Before adding the raisins and currants, toss them lightly in a bit of flour. This step helps prevent the dried fruits from sinking to the bottom of the pudding while it steams. Stir them gently into the batter, ensuring they are evenly distributed.
Step 5: Steam the Pudding
Transfer the pudding mixture into a well-greased tin pail or any heatproof container suitable for steaming. Cover it tightly with a lid or a piece of foil. Place the pail in a large pot, and fill the pot with enough water to come halfway up the sides of the pail. Cover the pot with a lid, ensuring the pudding steams evenly.
Steam the pudding for two hours over a gentle simmer, ensuring that the water stays at a steady level throughout the cooking process. Be sure to check occasionally and add more hot water if necessary.
Step 6: Serve Hot with Sauce
Once the pudding is done steaming, remove it from the pot and let it cool slightly before turning it out onto a plate. The pudding should be dense but moist, with a warm and slightly spiced aroma.
For the best experience, serve the pudding hot, accompanied by a rich sauce such as a caramel, vanilla, or lemon sauce. The combination of the warm pudding and the sauce creates a perfect balance of flavors and textures, making this dish a comforting dessert for any occasion.
Approximate Calorie Count
A serving of this Graham pudding, when divided into 6 portions, will contain roughly 300-350 calories per serving. The molasses, butter, and dried fruits are the main sources of calories, contributing to the pudding’s rich and satisfying flavor profile.