Christmas Plum Pudding

Note: You will need an 8 C pudding container i.e. a Round metal bowl,a cover, Steamer basket trivet or Rack and a roomy soup kettle Count on steaming pudding For at least 6 hours INGREDIENTS: 3 c Crumbs from good quality

White bread lightly packed (about 1/2 loaf) 1 c Ea raisins,yellow raisins

Currants chopped 1 1/3 c Sugar

1/2 ts Ea mace cinnamom & nutmeg

8 oz Butter melted

4 lg Eggs lightly beaten

1 ds Almond extract

1/2 c Bitter orange marmelade

FOR SERVING: 1/2 c Rum or bourbon heated

Slighlty before serving 2 c Zabaione Sauce **

Holly sprigs to garnish (optional) ** recipe follows Toss the crumbs in a large mixing bowl along with the two types of raisins, currants,sugar and spices. Then toss with the melted butter and all remaining ingredients except for the holly,rum/bourbon and zabaione. Taste for seasoning and add more if needed. Pack mixture into the container and cover with roundof wax paper and lid. Set the continer on steaming device and add enough water to come up 1/3 up the sides of puding container. Cover kettle tightly bring to a simmer and let steam for 6 hours,checking water level now and then. Pudding is done when dark walnut brown in color and fairly firm to touch. Let pudding cool and then store in a wine cellar or the fridge. At least two hours before serving resteam the pudding. Unmold onto a hot flameproof serving platter and decorate with the holly. Bring to table along with the warmed booze and pour booze around pudding. Ignite and let flame.Servewith the zabaione