Page 23 - Dec 2022

Now, Bring Us Some Figgy Pudding
To begin, it's hard for Americans to trust the usually gets the credit for the introduction of
British when it comes to food. Figgy pudding is 'firming' up the pudding, but there are records that
not made of figs, but of a variety of dried fruits, it was actually Britain's George I, (also a German),
and sugar plums are not made of plums but of called the 'pudding king'-there had to be a reason-
prunes. Having said that, Christmas pudding that brought this version to England in 1714.
couldn't be more British.
Today, any Christmas pudding worth its weight, has
Charles Dickens knew it and knew how that such a silver coin baked in, the better to break your teeth
a pudding must be served. Even Scrooge had on, and 13 ingredients. They represent Jesus and
his opinions on the subject and expressed them the 12 disciples. Traditionally, these ingredients
in that ultimate British Christmas Story, A include: raisins, currants, suet, brown sugar,
Christ mas Carol. breadcrumbs, citron, lemon peel, orange peel, flour,
mixed spices, eggs, milk, and brandy.
The version we know, served ablaze with brandy,
then garnished with a sprig of holly and doused Stirring up Sunday, the day you prepare your
with double cream or hard sauce, if you don't pudding, fell this year on November 20th, the last
have a pudding basin in your house or a deluxe Sunday before Advent. Thus, if you didn't know,
version on order from Marks and Spencer, it isn't you're already behind the curve if you're trying to
going to be a traditional British Christmas. Full stay with the traditional holiday calendar.
Stop.
To further confuse the Colonials, the term 'stirring
However, the pudding, we know and may love, up' does not refer to stirring the pudding, but
didn't always look like this. When the food stuff comes from the English book of Common Prayer:
began around the 14th century, the pudding was The Collect of the Day for the last Sunday before
actually a porridge called frumenty. It was made Advent starts, ?Stir up, we beseech thee, O Lord, the
of beef and mutton bits with raisins, prunes, ( wills of thy faithful people?.
there seems to be a theme here) , wine, and
Thanks to the Victorians, however, the prayer
spices as available. ( Since refrigeration wasn't a
morphed into a family cooking tradition. Custom
thing, meat, infrequently on the menu for poorer
now says each member of the family gives the
folks, frequently required spicing, think chili in
pudding batter a stir while making a wish. It follows
Texas.) Soupy in consistency, frumenty was
that there would be rules. According to Historic
eaten as a fasting meal, not as a dessert, to
UK.com, "The pudding should be stirred from east
prepare for the festivities of Christmas.
to west, in honour of the Magi (Wise Men) who
Over time the Christmas concoction evolved,, came from the east to visit the baby Jesus."
reaching its peak with the Victorians. Again
Reheat yours on Christmas Day and serve, or skip
Prince Albert, the consort of Queen Victoria
the pudding altogether and drink the brandy.

"If I could work my will, " said Scrooge indignantly, "every idiot who goes about with Merry Christmas upon his lips
should be boiled with his own pudding and buried with a stake of holly through his heart. He should!"
23
Charles Dickens, In A Christmas Carol ,