Rib Stickers! - Figgy fun

Most people remember Figgy Pudding because of the Christmas carol, “We Wish You A Merry Christmas” - “Now bring us some figgy pudding”. Not surprisingly it goes way back, probably 16^th Century and is thought to be English. It's a lighter version of a Christmas Pudding and there are loads of recipes out there, some more complicated than others.

Here's my favourite :

Figgy Pudding

50g unsalted butter

110g dried apricots, chopped

110g dried figs, chopped

110g pineapple, chopped

(I use dried, cubed pineapple)

110g sultanas

200g self raising flour

1 tsp mixed spice

1 tsp baking powder

3 eggs

Pre-heat oven 180c/160fan/Gas4

Melt the butter – you could use a saucepan or the microwave. Tip all the fruits and the spice into a large bowl and add the melted butter and mix with the fruit. Leave to cool.

Add the beaten eggs, flour and baking powder. Fill your dariole moulds – the mixture makes approximately 9 puddings.

Bake for 20 minutes.

I've mentioned dariole moulds in both these recipes – I've added a photograph to illustrate – they are easy to get hold of – check out Lakeland Plastics. Normally I wouldn't suggest buying kitchen equipment for one recipe and I'm not doing so here. I invested in dariole moulds a while back and you can get good deals, i.e. buy 4, get 4 half price. They are a neat piece of kit. I use mine for both sweet and savoury stuff and they've been a really good investment.

Keep your eyes peeled for deals!