Gluten Free Christmas Pudding
400g dried mixed fruit
100g ground almonds
50 g chopped almonds
100g quinoa flakes
½ tsp grated nutmeg
½ tsp mixed spice
1 tsp cinnamon
50g butter
1 medium apple, finely chopped
Juice of one orange (or 3 Tbsp brandy!)
1 Tbsp lemon juice
2 eggs
In large bowl mix the dried fruit, ground and chopped almonds, quinoa flakes and spices. Rub in the butter.
Beat the eggs. Add to the other ingredients. Lastly add the chopped apple, orange and lemon juice. Mix well.
Place in a buttered bowl. Cover with several layers of greaseproof paper and tie around the top with string. Place bowl in a large saucepan filled with hot water. Bring the water to a low boil, turn heat to low and steam the pudding for about 3 hours. Check water level regularly.
Alternatively cook the pudding in an oven as follows: Stand bowl in a deep oven dish filled with hot water. Bake about 1½ hours at 180 Celsius. This method requires less attention but the pudding may not be quite as moist.
Serve with natural yoghurt or fresh cream
PS. Quinoa flakes are available in health food stores and many large supermarkets.
