Spotted Dick Sponge

 

Spotted Dick Sponge

I can remember the first time I was introduced to the dessert known as Spotted Dick Sponge at my Dad’s Aunt Kate’s apartment while we were visiting her. I was shocked that anyone would eat such a dish, but I had no idea what it was at that point in my life. Once I found out and tried it, I was hooked. Aunt Kate said it was a traditional dish found in the United Kingdom and was considered a true holiday pudding for special occasions.

Ingredients

10 ounces All-Purpose Flour

2 teaspoons Baking Powder

5 ounces Vegetable Shortening (or use shredded suet, if available)

3 ounces Fine Granulated Sugar

4 ounces Dried Currants

zest of one Lemon

¾ cups Milk

¾ cups Milk

¾ cups Heavy Cream

6 Egg Yolk

3 ounces Fine Granulated Sugar

Instructions

 To make the sponge, simply mix together the shortening, flour, baking powder, currants, and lemon zest in a mixing bowl. Pour in the first ¾ cups of milk and mix well to create a soft dough that should be sticky to the touch.

Rub butter onto the base and sides of a pudding basin with your hands before spooning the dough into it.

Fold a piece of greaseproof paper cover the pudding basin and use string to tie over the ends. Place a damp cloth on top of the greaseproof paper, tying the ends of the fabric.

Fill a large pan to accommodate the pudding basin about halfway with hot water. Place the pudding basin into the water and cover the pan with a lid or foil. Bring the water to a boil and simmer for an hour.

Whisk egg yolks and sugar in a small bowl for the custard until slightly frothy.

Bring milk and cream to a simmer in a small saucepan then pour the mixture onto the eggs, a little at a time. You don’t want the eggs to scramble. Whisk well with each addition. Once all

 

Elizabeth Kilbride is a Writer and Editor with forty years of experience in writing with 12 of those years in the online content sphere. Author of 5 books and a Graduate with an Associate of Arts from Phoenix University in Business Management, then a degree. Mass Communication and Cyber Analysis from Phoenix University, then on to Walden University for her master’s in criminology with emphasis on Cybercrime and Identity Theft,. She is currently studying for her Ph.D. degree in Criminology. Her work portfolio includes coverage of politics, current affairs, elections, history, and true crime. Elizabeth is also a gourmet cook, life coach, and avid artist in her spare time, proficient in watercolor, acrylic, oil, pen and ink, Gouche, and pastels. As a political operative having worked on over 300 campaigns, Elizabeth has turned many life events into books and movie scripts while using history to weave interesting storylines. She also runs 7 blogs ranging from art to life coaching, food, writing, Gardening, and opinion or history pieces each week. 

British Fare, Potpourri of Frugality. Kilbride