Figgy Pudding

You may have heard or even sung the traditional song  "We Wish You A Merry Christmas"  and got to the bit about .. "Now bring us some figgy pudding" and wondered what it was all about.  Here's your chance to find out.


Ingredients

4 oz plain flour
A pinch of salt
4 oz breadcrumbs
4 oz shredded suet
1 tsp. mixed spice
1 tsp. baking powder
3 oz dark soft brown sugar
8 oz chopped dried figs
Finely grated rind and juice of one lemon
2 tbs milk
2 beaten eggs


Method

Sift the salt and flour together, then mix with all the remaining dry ingredients.  Add the figs, lemon rind and juice, milk and beaten eggs, and beat them well.  The mixture should have a soft, dropping consistency.  Put into a greased 2 pint pudding basin, cover securely and steam for 3 hours.  It's probably best served with a heated golden syrup topping and a generous pouring of custard.  Philistines may wish to try vanilla ice-cream.