Pudding Basins For Steamed Syrup Sponge

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Nigella uses a 1.75 litre pudding basin with a lid to cook the Steamed Syrup Sponge (from HOW TO BE A DOMESTIC GODDESS). A plastic basin is useful as the lid removes the need for complicated wrapping of the basin, though you may like to overwrap the bowl with a layer of clingfilm (plastic wrap) if there is any risk of the lid popping off during steaming. You can find lidded basins on-line and it may be worth looking for a brand such as Kitchen Craft, who make plastic basins. A slightly larger basin of 2 litres would also accommodate the sponge and there are some non-stick carbon steel basins with lids now available.

If you can't find a lidded basin then it is also possible to use a ceramic or heatproof glass bowl or basin of a similar capacity but you will need to wrap the basin before steaming. Cut a disc of baking parchment (parchment paper) to fit the top of the bowl, butter the disc and rest it butter side down on to the sponge batter in the bowl. Tightly wrap the bowl completely in a double layer of clingfilm and a double layer of foil before putting the wrapped bowl into the steamer.