Grandma Kastle's Plum Pudding
Submitted by: Doug Warburton

*Grandma Kastle's Plum Pudding (I've added Aunt Marion's version with italics. The exact fruit isn't important. Availability is more.)

Notes: c = cup, t = teaspoon, T = tablespoon

1-1/2 c. suet, finely chopped or ground (Crisco is the new substitute)

2 c. flour

1 c. brown sugar      [+ granulated sugar]

1/2 c. dark corn syrup

1 c. milk

3 eggs well beaten

1 c. soft stale bread crumbs

1 t. vanilla

2 t. cinnamon

1 t. cloves

1 t. mace

1/2 t. nutmeg

2 t. baking powder

3/4 t. soda

2 c. citron              [candied cherries & pineapple]

1  c. dates (1/2 lb)        [cut up figs, prunes, currants]

1 c. raisins

1 c. pecans


Directions:
Flour fruit well with some of the flour.
Add bread crumbs and seasonings, soda, and baking powder
Mixed with flour and sugar
Mix all drys well 1st
Add liquid
Add eggs last (beat before adding)
Steam in floured cloth (like old diaper, sheet, whatever white rag type), out of water.
Cover pan and do not look at 1st hour
Cook 3 hours

Take out of bag and put in low oven to dry

[The idea of this steamed pudding is getting fruit when it's all gone from the market. No refrigeration of fruits and no fresh during winter… Mix the above fruits as you like]

Important: It's good luck to have a piece of pudding during the holidays for your next year. So enjoy. Everyone needs all the luck they can get. Right?

Also important: This is not a solo project but family, as in the big sense, especially needed in the chopping. Better than mall shopping or company Christmas parties...

I grew up with this and we had it every Christmas, this along with the sauce my mom would make. The smell of this made Christmas truly come alive for me. Turkey and cranberries, Prime Rib and mashed potatoes, the stuffing, it was great.

But I knew how much time my mom put into making this and I could, and still would eat this every day if I didn't know that it makes my homes holiday just that much more special.