Monthly Archives: December 2017

…Oh, Bring Us Some Figgy Pudding…

Posted on by

~The Story Behind My Figgy Pudding Recipe~

My Christmas Figgy Pudding Adventure
Ok, I’ll start with this admission– I know this post is not exactly healthy–nor was the last one. In fact, it’s downright decadent. . .  maybe even dietarily evil. But, it’s Christmas, Ok? So in the Spirit of Christmas and dancing sugar-plums–Please allow me this small Holiday infraction.

So, what’s all this about Figgy Pudding? It all started one evening, as I was watching a Christmas movie on TV. A couple of characters encountered a group of carolers singing, “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.” As the carolers finished, one of the characters proudly proclaimed to the other, “Did you know figgy pudding does not contain figs nor is it pudding. It’s more like cake.”

As an American, I didn’t know much about some of the gloriously English traditions like figgy pudding. I wondered if this information was true, or not.

Search for the Real Story
Since I’m curious by nature, I started investigating. It turns out the movie character was only partially right. Figgy pudding is frequently known as Christmas pudding, especially when it doesn’t contain figs. But it does have plenty of dried fruit in it—and can have (and frequently does have) figs in it. But it is more like a cake, than a pudding. The descriptions I read reminded me a little of bread pudding.

Wikipedia (which cites several sources, including the Oxford dictionary) has this to say about figgy pudding.

Figgy pudding is a type of Christmas pudding which was originally made with figs.[1] It may be baked, steamed in the oven, boiled or fried.[2]

Figgy pudding dates back to 16th century England.[1] Its possible ancestors include savory puddings, such as crustades, fygeye or figge (a potage of mashed figs thickened with bread), creme boiled (a kind of stirred custard), and sippets (croutons).[3] In any case, its methods and ingredients appear in diverse older recipes, for instance in Mrs Beeton’s Book of Household Management.[1]

Today, the term figgy pudding is popularised mainly by the Christmas carol “We Wish You A Merry Christmas,” which includes the line, “Now bring us some figgy pudding”.[4] A variety of nineteenth-century sources state, in the West Country of England (from which the carol comes), “figgy pudding” referred to a raisin or plum pudding, not necessarily one containing figs.[5][6][7]

How interesting? Since it can be steamed, an idea came to me. I wonder if I could make figgy pudding in my new Instant Pot?
I LOVE my new Instant Pot!

Finding the Right Recipe with the Right Method
More research ensued. I found several recipes—specifically (more…)

I Bring You Some Figgy Pudding…

Posted on by

Instant Pot Figgy Pudding Recipe

What follows, is my adaptation (for high-altitude of about 5,300’ where notated) and other adjustments I found necessary after my trial run with Jo’s wonderful Christmas Pudding recipe at EveryNookAndCranny. You might find you need to make further adjustments. Just Have Fun!

~Something to consider ahead of time—You’ll need some sort of “oven-proof” bowl (or “pudding basin” as the British call it) that fits into your Instant Pot—for cooking the pudding in (see step 5). I used a simple, stainless steel mixing-bowl that measured just under 7 inches across. I tested ahead of time, to make sure it fits into my Instant Pot and on to the trivet. It’s a 1½ quart bowl—perfect for this.
You will also need parchment paper and aluminum foil, and some string or a large rubber band.

If you use a ceramic bowl, you’ll probably need to add another 5-10 minutes to your cooking time. Jo says it’s hard to “overcook” a Christmas pudding—so good to know!

Ingredients:

~First step:
AHEAD OF TIME–Decide which dried fruits you’d like to include. Measure them out dry.

1 1/3 cups dried fruit* Combine a few like figs, cranberries, raisins, pineapple, blueberries…
1/3 cup dried dates (about 1.8 ounces)
3-4 Tbsp. candied ginger

And soak them… (in liqueur or strong tea—at least overnight, but a week or two would be great.)

~Next step:
1/3 cup softened butter (I messed-up & I used a bit more, one stick. But it was great!) (more…)

Holy Clock Towers, Batman!

Posted on by

How is it possible? Christmas has come and gone already! It seems like it was just Easter. Time seems to slip by so quickly. I know I’ve said it a few times before, but holy time-warps… Obviously, I need to improve my time-management skills!

“Time-Crunched”

I guess I’ve been spending SO much time working on business-building, that I forgot to come here and update you on all things… happening. I ask your forgiveness.

I’m actually juggling 2 businesses now, but they are related. Taking Back Wellness is my… I guess you could call it my “umbrella” company. No, I’m not selling umbrellas– I mean umbrella in that it “houses” my other business.

I started Taking Back Wellness in… the spring of 2013. But as of April 2017, I created Taking Back Wellness, LLC and under this, is my “DBA” (Doing Business As) company, Holistic Wellness Writers. While I am still a certified holistic health coach, I’m also a writer and a terrific editor. My niche is helping Holistic Health Practitioners write more professionally and credibly, so they shine their brilliance out into the world. In this way, their clients can find them.

I’ve spent the last year working within a Business Mastermind, sharpening business skills, laying the foundation to grow my business, and learning different ways to offer my services. I’ve been working on building my Holistic Wellness Writers site, but apparently, overlooked updating you over here. (Sheepish grin) Sorry about that.

From this moment forward, I promise to become better at more consistent posting–on BOTH sites. Six to twelve times a year (or better) for each site. Ok? Ok.  Alright. I need to go fix dinner for my husband now. It’ll probably be something in my new Instant Pot. I love that thing! I’ll post later.

Be Well,
~Paula