Christmas Pudding Boiled in Calico

Our answer

We have not tried to cook Nigella's Ultimate Christmas Pudding in a calico sheet so cannot say whether this particular recipe will work in this manner. But there are some general guidelines to follow when cooking a Christmas pudding in a calico cloth. The first thing to mention is that the pudding should be submerged in simmering water, and not steamed over a pan of hot water. You also need space in a cool place to hang the pudding. You need a mid-weight calico (not a thin muslin) and it is best to buy a piece that is too large, to allow for some shrinkage in the fabric. The calico should be soaked overnight in a large basin of water. Once the pudding mixture is ready you need to scald the calico by submerging it in a large saucepan of boiling water and boiling the cloth for a few minutes. This removes any chemicals and slightly shrinks the cloth.

Remove the cloth with tongs and let it drip slightly then as soon as the cloth reaches a temperaure where you can handle the cloth, wring out as much water as possible (wear rubber gloves to help protect your hands). Lay the cloth out flat on a clean work surface and dust over a generous layer of plain (all-purpose) flour (this will help to form a barrier against the water). Pile the pudding mixture into the centre then bring the corners of the calico together and use string to tightly tie the cloth together just above the pudding mixture, allowing a little space for the pudding to expand. Trim any excess calico at this point. Boil the pudding following your recipe instructions then remove it and let it hang in a cool place (leave a bowl or bucket underneath to catch drips). After 2 days the clico shuld be dry, if not you may need to put the pudding on a rack, untie it and let the calico dry for a day, then re-tie and hang back in a cool place. If the calico remains damp then there is more risk of mould developing on the pudding. Give the pudding a second boiling on Christmas day, following the recipe instructions.

If you are giving the puddings as gifts you could always cook them in plastic or china pudding basins and then for a nice presentation wrap the basins in calico before giving them. Remember to attach the cooking instructions to the puddings.