Steamed pudding.
Many Americans are not familiar with steamed pudding, although they may have served it in a restaurant or as a guest and thought of it as a type of cake. Steamed pudding begins with a thick, sweet batter that is placed in a special pudding pan or other container modified to suit the purpose and steamed with hot water. Unlike the much more recent American flan, steamed puddings have a long and respected history in Britain and Europe.
Raisins are often included in steamed puddings.
Many types of steamed pudding are denser than a traditional cake, and hosts serve these puddings with chocolate, lemon, or raspberry sauce to protect their thick, rich flavor. Originally from Great Britain, these puddings are made from flour, cereal or other grains with butter and, in the case of sweet steamed puddings, sugar, molasses or honey. Some puddings include suet, which is a tough fat found around the organs of cows or sheep, and old-school steamed pudding enthusiasts firmly believe that nothing can replace it.
Walnuts are a common ingredient in steamed puddings.
One of the most well-known types of steamed pudding is Christmas pudding, similar to the festive fruitcake. Christmas pudding is made from flour and breadcrumbs, various eggs, sugar and suet. A number of dried and candied fruits are put together, most commonly raisins, plums or cherries. Cooks often add walnuts, walnuts, almonds, or other dried fruit.
Steamed puddings, such as lemon pudding, often have a cake-like texture.
Great for parties and other occasions, steamed cranberry pudding is easier than others. In addition to dry ingredients like flour, sugar, and baking soda, this pudding contains fresh or dried cranberries and cinnamon. It is usually served with a rich buttery cream sauce.
A savory pudding that many cooks are familiar with, whether they have prepared it or not, is a steak and kidney pie, a lunch favorite in British-style pubs around the world. Most recipes call for sirloin or other steak, as well as beef or lamb kidneys, mushrooms, onions, and flour. This type of steamed pudding usually contains mushrooms and stout, as well as a selection of fresh or dried herbs such as rosemary and thyme.
Another well-known British pudding is Yorkshire pudding. This pasta-based treat is reminiscent of a popover and is often served with sauce and sliced meat, usually roast beef. It contains several eggs, which simultaneously stimulate the yeast in the dough and at the same time keep the interior of the pudding moist and creamy.