Dessert - Spotted Dick (or Dog)

The name of this pudding always raises a laugh in Britain but gets horrified gasps from our American friends, who blush at something that to them is shockingly explicit. However, if decorum is needed at the dinner table, the pudding can also be called Spotted Dog.

Ingredients

Serves: 4

1. 75 Gram Self-raising flour (3 oz)
2. 110 Gram Fresh breadcrumbs (4 oz)
3. 75 Gram Shredded suet (3 oz)
4. 50 Gram Caster sugar (2 oz)
5. 175 Gram Currants (6 oz)
6. 1 Lemon, zest only
7. 5 Tablespoon Milk

Method

Mix everything together. Shape into a neat roll about 15 cm (6 inches) long. Make a 5 cm (2 inch) pleat across a clean tea towel or pudding cloth. Or pleat together sheets of greased greaseproof paper and strong foil. Wrap the roll loosely, to allow for expansion, in the cloth or foil, pleating the open edges tightly together. Tie the ends securely with string. Make a string handle across the top.

Lower the pudding into a large pan of boiling water, cover and boil for 1 1/2 hours. Lift out using the string handle. Place on a wire rack standing over a plate and allow excess moisture to drain off. Snip the string and gently roll the pudding out of the cloth or foil on to a warmed serving plate. Serve sliced with custard.