American Women ‘ s Club of Hamburg 2021
Jenny M .’ s British Traditions
Christmas begins in November in Britain with Stir-Up Sunday . A Sunday or Saturday is set aside to make Christmas cakes and puddings . Two puddings are often made because one is eaten with Christmas dinner and the second is kept for New Year ’ s Day . Usually the Christmas meal is replicated on New Year ’ s Day in Britain , including another turkey . Stir-Up Sunday is often a time when relatives get together and make a batch of cakes and puddings for the holidays . This happens with my daughter ’ s husband ’ s family and results in a super homemade pud , which is much nicer than a shop-bought one .
When I was growing up , my mum popped a silver sixpence wrapped in greaseproof paper in her pudding for a lucky person to find . Silver sixpences had long stopped being currency , so the silver sixpence was saved from one year to the next . Health and safety concerns , along with the paucity of silver sixpences , mean this tradition has died out .
CHRISTMAS PUDDING
PREPARED BY : Jenny M . ADAPTED FROM : Mrs Beeton ‘ s Everyday Cookery ( circa 1970 )
Last year , I sent a German hand-blown glass pickle Christmas ornament to friends in Yorkshire . The pickle came with a note explaining the German tradition , that the person who found it on the Christmas tree was the first to open his or her presents . This caused much discussion among the guests . It ’ s a lovely tradition , and one which is unheard of in Britain . Children there open their stockings on Christmas morning , and then the family members usually take turns opening presents after lunch .
Churchgoers attend church on Christmas morning in Britain and hear the vicar repeat the age-old words , “ And it came to pass that Mary was safely delivered of a child .” A story that I could never reconcile when I was little with the one about Father Christmas , who delivered presents to everybody by means of a sleigh and a team of reindeer flying across the night sky . Thank goodness for these stories that give us a reason to celebrate and bring friends and families together .
Happy holidays everyone .
6 oz finely chopped suet 6 oz moist brown sugar 6 oz raisins 3 oz chopped candied peel 6 oz sultanas Grated rind of a lemon 6 oz currants 2 eggs
1 . Grease two 1.5 pint basins ( baking dishes with lids .)
2 . Finely chop the suet and almonds , wash the fruit .
3 . Sift the flour , salt and nutmeg into a mixing bowl .
4 . Add the breadcrumbs , suet , sugar , dried fruit , peel , lemon rind and almonds .
1.5 oz almonds 1 small wineglass brandy or sherry 3 oz plain flour A little milk Pinch salt 1 / 4 tsp grated nutmeg 3 oz breadcrumbs
5 . Beat the eggs well and stir into the mixture .
6 . Add milk and mix to a soft dropping consistency .
7 . Put mixture into basins , cover and steam for 5 – 6 hours .
Silver sixpences are optional !