Former model turned nutritionist Alli Godbold has an exclusive gluten-free Christmas pudding recipe to get started on now
Traditional Christmas puddings are extra calorific as they contain suet, this one is suet-free and therefore much lighter. It is baked in the oven rather than steamed but is still perfectly moist. Try not to ruin your good work by drowning the pud in cream and brandy butter.
Serves 8
Ingredients:
275g raisins
175g chopped dates
100g chopped figs
100g sultanas
9 tbsp orange juice
100g gluten free breadcrumbs (made from gluten free brown bread)
225g butter or coconut oil
175g coconut sugar
grated rind of 1 lemon and 1 orange
4 beaten eggs
50g chopped almonds
100g brown rice flour
2 tsp baking powder (gluten free)
1 tsp mixed spice
1 tsp cinnamon
Method:
- Grease a 1.5 litre pudding basin. Line the base with a circle of greaseproof paper. Pre heat oven to 180 degrees C.
- Place the dried fruits and 5 tbsp of orange juice in a pan, cover and simmer for 5 mins. Place in a bowl and add the breadcrumbs.
- Beat the butter and sugar together until creamy, then beat in the lemon and orange rind, eggs, almonds, flour and spices. Add this to the fruit mixture and beat.
- Pack the mixture into the pudding basin and cover with greaseproof paper. Bake for 1 hour and 20 mins. until springy yet firm to touch.
- Pour over the remaining orange juice. Turn out and serve decorated with shredded lemon and orange zest.
More from Alli:
Lentil and vegetable soup to make tonight
The quick breakfast super-smoothie
5 foods your fridge needs in 2014
Alli Godbold is a leading nutritionist who has worked alongside chefs Charles Amos and Alan Wichart at Divertimenti Cookery Schools in Knightsbridge and Marylebone. She is author of cookbook Feed Your Health (£13.99 feedyourhealth.co.uk)
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