How Can I Make The Forgotten Pudding In Advance?

Our answer

Nigella's Forgotten Pudding (from NIGELLA EXPRESS) requires very little active time from the cook, making it an Express recipe despite the long cooking time. The meringue is put into a hot oven. The oven is switched off and the meringue cooks in the residual heat to a marshmallowy texture.

It is most convenient to make the meringue overnight, as you can't use the oven for anything else for several hours. If you don't need the oven for dinner, or can start very early in the morning, then we would allow 8-10 hours for the meringue to cook if you are making it during the day. If you prefer to make it the night before then the following morning take the baked meringue out of the oven, make sure that it is completely cold, then cover the pan tightly with food wrap and leave in a cool, dry place until you want to serve it. Please note that if it is wet or humid weather (or you have a steamy kitchen) then the meringue will turn sticky quite quickly, as the meringue will absorb moisture from the air around it. Leftovers should be stored in the fridge, loosely covered, and eaten within 24 hours.