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Aug 23, 2011

1st Bloggiversary & Spotted What?!






Whoa! 1 year ... one whole year ... pinch me!

I didn't think I'd last this long. You know, I believe I wouldn't have if it wasn't for all of you supporting this crazy blog and me (ever so slightly crazy). When I first started this blog, it was a little like writing a diary and just talking to myself. But I am happy to say ... I've come a long way, baby! Uh, I didn't have to add the "baby" in, but somehow that statement reminded me of an ad from a long time ago. What was it? Virginia Slims? (No, they didn't pay me to put that in. Btw, are they still around?)

And a special thank you to my regulars who have not only supported the blog but who cared for my well-being during some political crisis that happened recently. I am truly touched. I have also learnt so much in this one year from all the blogs I've discovered, all the good friends I've made and I know there's gonna be lots more to discover out there.

Ok ... the end of my speech ... WAKE UP! and let's cook and eat!


Spotted What!?


Umm ... more correctly, it's called Spotted Dick. But I decided against putting it as the main header just in case google decided to label it as smut spam and blackmark my blog.

And no, it's not some bloke with measles either.

This is a traditional English pudding with a rather vague story behind its very interesting, attention-grabbing name, which recently has been changed to Spotted Richard due too many snickerings in the local cafeteria. There was, however, some hoohah about the name change, since its not good form to change anything traditional, so ... who knows what it's being called today.

The "spotted" part being the currants and the "other" part is probably due to the, umm... let's just describe it as "log-shaped". But I've decided to make it into the traditional pudding bowl shape instead. So, what should I call it? Any suggestions? And do I need to rate this post as G, PG or R before the suggestions come in?


Before I go on to the recipe, I'd like to say that I wasn't too happy with the outcome of the pudding. I had tasted this very interestingly-named dessert a long time ago and if my memory serves me right (no, I'm not going senile ... yet), it was like a fruitcake, dense but cakey. Somehow, mine turned out, yes, dense but sconey ... yes, crumbly, like a scone. It's suppose to expand some but mine did only a very unnoticeable bit. The taste was very good tho and the accompaniment of a very good vanilla custard helped it along. I will have to adjust some measurements, I guess. Or, I'll just take it as Spotted Scones and have it toasted with a slab of butter instead.

Anyone out there who is familiar with this recipe? I would appreciate some feedback about what I'm doing wrong here. I did check out a couple of recipes and came across 2 very different methods ... one uses eggs and the other doesn't. I figured a normal pudding uses eggs anyway, so I added that. Maybe that made it more dense? Or maybe I need more milk? I'm rambling. I need some enlightenment ... pleeez.


Can't remember where I found this recipe from ....


INGREDIENTS


2/3 cups self raising flour

1/2 cup shredded suet (I used Atora beef suet)

3/4 cup soft, white breadcrumbs

1/4 cup sugar

1/4 tsp salt

1 cup currants

zest of 1 lemon

1 egg + 1 tbs milk (I think I need more milk to make this work)


METHOD


Grease 4 200ml pudding bowls.

Combine first 7 ingredients.

Lightly beat egg with the tbs of water.

Stir into flour mixture to make a soft but not too sticky dough. Add more milk if necessary.

Divide dough into 4 parts and place each ball of dough into individual greased pudding bowls. Flatten tops.

Butter or spray a round piece of waxed paper and place over dough, butter side down. Cover tops of bowls tightly with foil, fold in the ends and tie around the bottom of the lip with twine so that no water will seep inside.

Place in a steamer or into a large, deep pan and add water to just about halfway up the sides of the pudding bowls. Cover and bring water to a boil, then lower heat and steam for 1 hour - 1 1/2 hours.

Remove and cool for a few minutes. Unmold and serve with Vanilla Custard

or Vanilla Ice Cream.


Warning: Do not try this at home.


Note: I will definitely do another post on this one.


PS: Next post: Vanilla Custard










38 comments:

  1. Congratulations, only one year? So young yet so mature, I am amazed and you should be very proud of yourself.

    Very funny post and I reserve my uncensored comments otherwise I will get banned from using www. Sorry that your spotted dick did not expand and was crumbly:) I saw it being made on Masterchef Aus. The recipe is here: http://www.masterchef.com.au/spotted-dick-with-custard.htm. Your recipe is similar except for the amount of milk which probably will make a huge difference. With your dough you can make wonderful spotted dick cookies, it is more of a cookie dough.

    BTW the picture shows spots but the recipe does not, must be magic???

    This is the longest comment I have ever written, and its almost becoming an essay. Just one more point. I heard on masterchef (and read on wiki) that dick was probably a name for cakes. Now the Brits call all desserts puddings, even puddings.

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  2. Oh gosh oh gosh oh gosh ... thank you for telling me about my not seeing spots :D Fixed! Maybe I am going senile, young as I am (ahem). Hey! Great idea using it for making cookies instead. Now, why didn't I think of that?
    Thanks for the link. I did see that one but it looked so fancy, I went to a simpler one instead ... and look where it got me. I guess you're right, I think this recipe must have missed out another portion of milk. Senility?

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  3. Yeahy, congratulations on reaching one year with your blog. Happyblog birthday. And spotted dick...mmmmm, us Brits love a good old pudding! ;)

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  4. Aaaaah, Spotted Dick! As a Brit I'm obliged to say that I LOVE this. You know, in England you can even buy it in a can (lol). If you're into trying some good old English puds you should try a syrup sponge too. It is also normally steamed for an eternity but you can also microwave it and it takes just 4 minutes (super fast and delicious!)... I put a recipe a while ago on my blog if you're interested:

    http://fiveeurofood.com/index.php/2011/01/syrup-sponge-and-custard/

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  5. Congrats on your one year anniversary! I laughed out loud at this post.. such a funny name, and I never actually knew what it was! Thanks for enlightening me. :)

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  6. Happy Blogaversary! Lol@ the Spotted What? It is a rather funny name and I myself have wondered about it. Never attempted to make one myself, so I am not sure how it is supposed to taste...but your spotted scones sound yummy ;)!

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  7. Oh my, Ping-you are too funny! No wonder you didn't want to add the title of this dessert...ha, ha! There's gotta be a better name for this yummy dessert. Love the sauce with it. Almos reminds me of the English Plum pudding, and that, for sure you cannot make without the Suet-which is the beef suet; they specifically tell you on the English recipe, "do not use butter, or shortening!"

    Happy First Blog Anniversary my dear, and talented, friend. Yes, you have come a long way, and a lot longer way to go...you go girl!
    Hugs,

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  8. Julia: Thank you! But I think I really need to learn more making puds.

    Kati: Thank you very much!

    Charles: Oh yes! Now that you've reminded me, I did manage to find a frozen one at Tesco's. I don't see them anymore tho ... probably not too popular with the locals here. Thanks for the link. Will check it out soon.

    Megg: Haha! You're welcome and thanks!

    Amy: I had them for breakfast this morning with butter and jam ... yummers! But I don't think I'll want to make this mistake again :D

    Elisabeth: Haha! Trust the brits to come up with a name like that. I believe it's also called Spotted Dog, still not too appetizing a name.
    Thanks so much for the kind wishes. Hug back.

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  9. This looks too good....Yummy one...Thanks for the recipe

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  10. What an interesting name for this very yummy looking dessert!
    Happy 1st Bloggiversary, Ping! Way to go!!!

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  11. Spotted WHATTT??!!! Lol so funny.

    Happy 1-Year Blogoversary!! What a fantastic achievement and you should be very proud of it. Keep up the good work!! :)

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  12. Congratulations on your one year! It's amazing how time flies by, isn't it?

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  13. Aarthi: You're welcome :D but I'd suggest you wait for a re-post of this.

    Tina: Thanks Tina!

    Kimberly P: Thank you so much!

    Hester: Thanks! Yes it does ... soon it'll be the 2nd year .... I hope. Thanks for coming by.

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  14. Good to find this recipe, finally! I was looking for it for quite some time now and you can not imagine the results google suggested :))) Funny story, funny pudding!!! hahaha

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  15. Hi Ping! I hope I'm not too late. Happy BlogAnniversary!! Can't believe we are just weeks apart. A toast to you and new friendship. May there be many many more of food-ilicious blogs to come. Maybe we can pair up and do something big? Since we are both in KL? heheheh... Hope to meet up with you soon. Buzz me anytime ok? Hugs, Jo

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  16. Spotted scones or whatever else. I think it looks awesome! Especially with seemingly real vanilla custard basting off the homelove baked goodie!
    One year's up huh? Hope you enjoyed the whole year of bloggin, it gets better I reckon! Looking forward to see more of your thoughts!

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  17. something_good: Haha ... I can imagine what kind of sites you were directed to searching for this on the net LOL!! But please DO NOT use this recipe but if you just add another 1/3 cup milk to this, it might turn out better. I will be doing this again to make sure I get it right. Maybe I should put a warning right at the top so that nobody goes thru the disappointment I did.

    Chic Gorgeous: Hi Jo! Never too late for a lovely wish and comment :D Thank you! A toast to new friendships. Something big? Hmm ... I'm not THAT good in my baking. Sure, why not? Yes, will definitely give you a buzz once I get a breather from all my visitors. xoxo

    PFx: Hey Pierre! Thank you for liking my 'scones' :D. I did enjoy the year of blogging. It was a challenge to try something different from all the mundane stuff I usually make day to day. Keeps the grey matter going ... crosswords alone doesn't do it.

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  18. Happy First Year coincided with my great nephews first birthday..
    Spotted Dick makes me think of English Boarding schools and Tom Brown's School ays

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  19. Congrats Ping! You have done very well for only blogging for a year, what an interesting and great blog you have! Your pudding looks lovely with the creamy custard.

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  20. Belated Happy 1st Blog Anniversary! Yes, you have come a long way to there is no turning back! I did not know you started blogging a month later than me:D The Brits sure know how to name this dessert. It will aroused the curiosity of a dead cat! hehehe Even though you are not happy with the result of your spotted dick, I drool over it! OMG.. this sentence sound so obscene but I can't find another way to say it. Maybe call it Spotted Pecker? LOL! XOXO

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  21. Culinary Lens: Hey, happy belated birthday to your great nephew!

    Veronica's Kitchen: Hi! Thanks so much for the wishes.

    Quay Po Cooks: ROFL!!!!! Oh my, you are so far the bravest person to comment and say it like it is! Looks like I'll have to start rating this post after all! Oh my gosh! I can't stop laughing....!!

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  22. Happy anniversary to your blog!!! You are so funny, Ping...I loved all your comments on this strangly named dessert...but sorry it didn't work out...it sure looks tasty, though!

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  23. Ping - Congratulations on one year!!!! Im so glad you have stuck around because I always enjoy your beautiful pictures and wonderful posts. They are often things I have never heard of or wouldn't have been brave enough to make.

    And I am going to have to ask my British friend about this one. She totally puts up with my crass self so Im sure she will appreciate my curiosity.

    Quay Po has it right, Spotted Pecker indeed :D

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  24. HAPPY HAPPY HAPPPPPPPPPPPYYYYYYYYY! Blogiversary! :D

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  25. Lizzy: Thank you! Yeah, it did taste quite good in a sconey kind of way :D

    Kita: Aww ... I'm touched. Thank you. That's further encouragement for me. Haha! Maybe I should have changed the name to Polka Dotted Pecker instead!

    Tiffany: Thanks so much! I'm definitely haaapppyyy with all of you here with me!

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  26. Happy anniversary and wish you more to come ;-)

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  27. Congratulations! I am a very recent fan of your blog, but I am happy to celebrate one year with you!
    Every single traditional British cookery book has a spotted dick recipe and it always made me laugh :-) However, now that I see it on your seducing photo, I will seriously consider making it!

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  28. Oh I love this!! I know what you mean about the name.. I'd be nervous too, and I remember the first time I heard it I was so confused, but it is delicious!

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  29. babe_kl: Thank you.

    Sissi: Hi! I'm very honored to have you as a fan and happy you're celebrating with me and everyone here! Don't let the photo fool you coz it's not a very good recipe unless you want spotted scones :D Wait for the my next test recipe ... I promise it'll be better.

    Elyse: LOL!! The name was funny enough for me to want to try it out! Thanks for visiting.

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  30. Ping...congrats on your 1st year blogversary :) Haha I like the name of this cookie...funny name LOL! You make my day :p

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  31. Elin: Hellooo! Thanks very much! Glad I made you happy :D

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  32. LOL :D A spotted what now? You are so funny, Ping! Congrats on one year of blogging & happy anniversary :) I love your blog and the food you cook, and I look forward to what the next year has in store for ping's pickings! This dessert looks yummy - despite it's name! :)

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  33. Harried Cook: Hi! Thanks for the wishes :D This one year had been fun and I love meeting all of the other bloggers and you and learning stuff and actually making things that I never thought I could make. It was and I know it will be a never ending, happy, educational journey.

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  34. I love steamed puddings. With a house full of teenage boys, I would have to call this steamed raisin cake. I am just not up to the guffaws etc that would emanate from my dining room table.

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  35. Kristen: LOL!!! What a handful you have! No problems with leftovers I'm sure :D

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  36. Same like Quay Po, I am drooling over the Spotted Dick!
    Happy Belated Bloggersary! Keep up the amazing posts!

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