Summer Pudding

[Isis]

Summer Pudding :eatin:

8 Medium slices of bread (can be either brown, white or 50/50, but not Granary bread) with all crusts removed
900g/2lb of Frozen summer fruits
225g/8oz of sugar (I used sweetener, it works out 6 dessert spoons for 2ozs of sugar)
Sprigs of fresh mint (optional)
Cream (to serve again optional, but you will need something)

Line a pudding basing with greaseproof paper cut a circle from one of the bread slices to fit in the bottom of your bowl.

Keep two slices reserved for the lid. Cut the remaining slices in half and use to line out the bowl overlapping them to fit.

Put the sugar/sweetener in a pan, with touch of water at the bottom add the sugar/sweetener cover and heat gently stirring occasionally until the sugar/sweetener has dissolved. Bring to the boil and remove from the heat.

Spoon the fruit into your bread lined bowl I did put a little of the juice in as well. Put the remaining juice in a jug and reserve. Place the remaining bread on top trimming it to fit. Cut another piece of greaseproof paper and lay that on the top. Then place a saucer on top of that and weigh it down with a tin can or weights. Put in the fridge along with the reserved juice and leave overnight.

To sever removed the saucer and can/weights, remove the greaseproof paper, tip out onto a plate and peel off the remaining greaseproof paper. Brush sides with the remaining juice and serve. (If you wish you can decorate with sprigs of fresh mint). Serve in slices with cream or whatever you are using.

It takes about 35 mins to prepare and it truly lovely.

I made this yesterday, and we did not leave it in the fridge overnight and ate it at tea time, I made it about 2pm and was eaten about 7pm, it was really nice. I used the value frozen fruit, with Strawberries, Raspberries, Cherries and Blackcurrants, it was lovely. But you do need something on it, but would not recommend custard. Ice cream, cream or Elmlea but you need something with it. Enjoy.

[Planet 24]

mmm sounds delicious :)

I am making home made yogurt at the moment and adding that to fresh fruit for a healthy breakfast.

I love berry fruits though they really do represent Summer :yes:

[Isis]

Oh Planet it was lovely we all loved it and I will be making that one again :yes:for sure. Perhaps this time I might be able to leave it in the fridge overnight :lol: Instead of us being the greedy ganets that we are. :lol:

ummm Home made yoghurt sounds nice, do you have a machine to do that?

[Planet 24]

Ive always made yogurt its dead easy and so much cheaper.
All you need is a starter culture - you can use run of the mill natural yogurt too or one of the more exotic ones as long as its natural.
I used to make it in a large thermos you have to keep it warm to sour but now I use an easiyo flask type thing. Easiyo do their own mixes too that you just add water too but they can be pricey.

So I use Zimbabwe Goats milk yogurt- half a carton and add 1 pint of boiled semi skimmed milk, if you use long life milk you can heat it just below boiling add it to the yogurt and stir it well then leave it to curdle usually about 8 hours. Once done you can put it in a tupperware in the fridge and add it to fruit, honey or maple sugar if you really like it sweet. It will keep up to a week.(Ours doesnt last that long:lol:)

If you keep about 5 tablespoons of yogurt back - you can start the process all over again. I only buy a new 'starter' yogurt every couple of months or if the curd is too runny- if it sweats too much there is sometimes a clear fluid on the top which I just strain off.

You can get machines but you dont need them - they just do the work of a flask anyway.

[Isis]

Thanks Planet I think I may have a go at that, might be cheaper then buying pots and ports of yoghurt.