This is an edited extract from Vegan Christmas by Gaz Oakley, published by Quadrille $32.99. Available in stores nationally.
Serves: 8
Cook: 7 hours
- 100g (3/4 cup) sultanas
- 100g (generous 1/2 cup) dried mixed peel
- 100g (generous 1/2 cup) chopped dates
- 50g (1/4 cup) dried cherries
- 25g crystallised ginger, chopped
- 120ml (1/2 cup) rum or brandy
- Juice of 1 orange
- Zest and juice of 1 lemon
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1 tsp ground mixed spice
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 75g (1/3 cup) demerara or coconut sugar
- 2 Tbsp black treacle (molasses)
- 1 Braeburn apple, grated
- 115g (scant 1/2 cup) vegan spread, plus extra for greasing
- 45g (1/2 cup) breadcrumbs
- 95g (3/4 cup) plain (all-purpose) flour
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
The day before, put the dried fruit plus the alcohol, orange and lemon juice and the bay leaf into a large bowl. Stir well to mix, cover and leave for at least 12 hours to plump up. The next day, grease a 1 litre pudding bowl with vegan spread, then line the base with a circle of greaseproof paper to ensure the pudding comes out once cooked.
Remove the bay leaf from the fruit. Add the lemon zest, spices, salt, sugar, treacle and apple and mix. Stir in the vegan spread and breadcrumbs. Sift in the flour and baking powder and fold in. Spoon the mixture into the pudding bowl, leaving a 2.5cm gap at the top. Cover with greaseproof paper, then a sheet of foil and tie with cook’s string.
Put an upturned ramekin in the bottom of a saucepan. Sit the pudding on top, and then pour in boiling water half way up the sides of the pudding. Cover and simmer over a low heat for 5 hours, topping up the water when needed. Lift the pudding out and leave to cool. Store for up to a month before serving. Steam again in the same way for 30 minutes. Add 2 shots of vegan-friendly brandy to a saucepan and heat over a low heat for 2 minutes. Light the brandy with a match, and then carefully pour over the pudding for that festive flame.
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