Page 52 of Christmas at Rachel’s Pudding Pantry

Golden and warming, a gorgeous treat for those autumn and winter months. Auntie Jean, Grandma Isabel’s sister, always used to serve it with custard back when Jill was a little girl. Nowadays, Rachel prefers her mum’s version served warm with a dollop of vanilla ice cream melting down over it. Perfectly divine!

Recipe:

Shortcrust pastry made with 175g (6oz) flour

50g (2oz) fresh white breadcrumbs

225g (8oz) golden syrup

1 tsp finely grated lemon rind

2 tsp lemon juice

Beaten egg to glaze

On a floured work surface, roll out the pastry. Use to line a 20.5cm (8 inch) pie plate. Trim any surplus pastry from the edges.

Mix the breadcrumbs with syrup, lemon rind and juice. Spread over the pastry to within 2.5cm (1 inch) of the edges. Brush edges with cold water.

Cut remaining pastry into thin strips and arrange in a criss-cross pattern over the treacle filling. Press the strips down well on to the pastry edges. Brush with the beaten egg.

Put the plate onto a baking sheet and bake at 200°C (Gas Mark 6) for 30 minutes until pastry is golden.

Serve with cream, vanilla ice cream or custard.

22

Daniel seemed in no hurry to dash away and stayed for a while at the end of Pudding Club, chatting with Jill and offering to help her wash up the cups and dishes.

‘Thank you, that’s very kind,’ Jill accepted gratefully.

The two of them were chatting amicably as they worked in the kitchen area, and once Rachel had cleared everything from the table, she said, ‘Is it all right if I go back across now, Mum? See how Maisy’s been with Granny Ruth?’

‘Of course, love. We’re nearly done here.’

‘Thanks, Mum. Night, Daniel, and thanks for staying back to help.’

‘It’s my pleasure. It’s not as though there’s anyone waiting at home for me. I’m really enjoying the club, by the way, it’s been great. A nice mix of people too, well, mostly,’ he added with a wink. They knew exactly who he was referring to.

‘Aw, thank you.’ Rachel was smiling as she left the barn. It had been a good night, despite Vanessa’s meddling. And it was lovely to have Daniel on the scene and to see him getting on nicely with Mum.

Granny Ruth had Maisy all tucked up in bed by the time Rachel got back across to the farmhouse, and was eager to know how it had all gone. Rachel filled her in.

‘Oh, that sounds wonderful pet. Except for that damned Vanessa woman – she’s trouble that one, all right. Though it sounds like she won’t be coming back any time soon, and good riddance. So, where’s Jill?’

‘Ah, just finishing tidying up. She’ll be over in a minute. Daniel – you’ll remember him from last week – offered to help wash up and they were nearly done when I left.’

‘Oh, right.’ Granny smiled softly, not making any further comment.

‘So, Maisy’s been fine?’

‘Yes, the little poppet went down lovely for me. No bother at all. We had a bit of a read, and a chat, and that was it. When I looked in on her half an hour ago, she was sleeping soundly.’

‘That’s great. Thank you, Granny. That’s really helped me out tonight. The Pudding Club definitely needs two of us at the helm and I don’t want Maisy up too late on school nights, if I can help it.’

‘It’s no problem at all, pet, any time. And, I was thinking: I’ll be making my Christmas puddings soon. I know it was mentioned as an idea last week, so why don’t we go ahead with a Christmas Pudding Club for next time. It’d be just the right time to be making them, with “Stir-up Sunday” being in late November. I’d certainly be happy to say a few words and share the recipe for my Whisky and Orange Christmas Pudding. It’d take some weight off your shoulders if I helped out with a session, too.’

‘That sounds a great idea, Granny. Very festive, and I’m sure it would be popular.’