Microwave Reheating Christmas Pudding

Asked by ChrissieB1. Answered on 29th November 2014

Full question

A friend has requested that I make her your Nonconfirmist Christmas Pudding (from Feast) but it would be easier if she could use a microwave in Christmas Day rather than steaming it. What do I need to do if anything to adapt the recipe and how long and what power would she need to use? Thanks Chrissie.

Can you recommend if the Ultimate Christmas Pudding can be microwaved on Christmas Day if I steam it for the full length of time beforehand; and if so how long would be a suitable time without ruining the pudding? I wouldn't usually ask, but I will be at the parents this year and they have very limited space. therefore I will not be my Mum's favourite person if I turn up and commandeer an area of her kitchen for approx 3hrs to steam the Christmas pudding!

Our answer

Nigella's Nonconformist Christmas Pudding (from Feast) has some elements of the traditional Christmas pudding, with dried fruits soaked in alcohol, but has an intsense chocolate flavoured batter that is enriched with ground almonds (almond meal). It should be possible to reheat the pudding in the microwave rather than by steaming, and we would suggest that for the first steaming you extend the cooking time to 5 hours (i.e. 1 hour extra). Cool and store the pudding in the usual way.

For the Ultimate Christmas Pudding (from Christmas and on the Nigella website) we recommend steaming the pudding initially for 8 hours.

To reheat the puddings in the microwave we can only give guidelines and it may be a good idea to check that the puddings are hot in the centre before you unmould. You can do this by inserting a metal skewer to test (the tip of the skewer should come out feeling hot but please do this very carefully), or if you have an instant read/digital thermometer then it should be at 75c or above. Make sure that the pudding bowl is wrapped only in clingfilm (palstic wrap) with some holes made in the top, or if you have a plastic lid then put it on the pudding but only very loosely. For an 800W microwave try full power for 4 minutes and rest for 3 minutes, then microwave on low/defrost for 7 minutes and stand for 5 minutes before unmoulding.