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Unexpected Christmas pudding

(43 Posts)
Aveline Wed 05-Jan-22 20:30:59

We were sent a Christmas pudding out of the blue just before Christmas. It's a large one. We didn't need it as we already had one.
I found it again today. I wondered if it would be OK to take a couple of spoonfuls of it and microwave them. We could then have it between ourselves over the next few days rather than waste it. Would that be safe? How long should I microwave it for?
Any ideas welcome.

midgey Wed 05-Jan-22 20:32:54

Are you sure it doesn’t have microwave instructions on it somewhere? Wouldn’t last too long in my house!

Aveline Wed 05-Jan-22 20:35:06

It only has instructions to steam the whole thing for hours. We don't want it all at once as it's so big. I just wondered if I could heat up a bit at a time. DH likes it and fancies a little bowl of it.

AreWeThereYet Wed 05-Jan-22 20:38:40

We usually microwave ours, eat what we want then put it in the fridge. Next day microwave it again (shorter time obviously).

Greenfinch Wed 05-Jan-22 20:43:00

I microwave a big one for 4 minutes so heating a quarter of it would take about 1 minute.

aggie Wed 05-Jan-22 20:43:59

We steamed ours for hours in the slow cooker , had very small helping , put it in the fridge and just had the last bit tonight !
I microwaved my portion for 30 seconds , just to warm it , you can do it longer , but the whole thing needs steamed first , then take portions off

valdali Wed 05-Jan-22 20:44:43

Yes I've successfully done just that with christmas pudding in the past, when we've ended up with two. Used it up over a few days. Don't put it portions in microwave for too long - they heat up really fast. The one I had at christmas was medium - large & needed 2.5 minutes at full power, rest 2 minutes, then another 2 minutes at full power for the whole pud.

AreWeThereYet Wed 05-Jan-22 20:44:49

I've just checked around and found somewhere where it says not to microwave more than twice. But it doesn't say why.

I don't know any reason why you shouldn't microwave it bit by bit Aveline - apparently Christmas pudding is better steamed as it doesn't go so sticky and mushy, so that may be why it says to steam it. Is this a pudding someone has made at home?

Aveline Wed 05-Jan-22 20:45:28

That's helpful thanks. I think we could be eating it for weeks! It was sent by a business that we're clients of. They've never given us anything before and goodness knows why they settled on a pudding!

Millitt64 Wed 05-Jan-22 20:49:40

I’ve been doing that for years Aveline as my husband is the only one that likes it! I just cut out a portion, put it in a bowl and pop it in the microwave for two or three minutes. You can usually smell when it’s hot enough, if you know what I mean. Enjoy!

lemongrove Wed 05-Jan-22 20:50:45

Greenfinch

I microwave a big one for 4 minutes so heating a quarter of it would take about 1 minute.

That’s what I was going to say smile

Greenfinch Wed 05-Jan-22 20:57:04

Great minds lemongrove grin

Fleur20 Wed 05-Jan-22 21:01:36

It will already have been cooked so you can turn it out...slice into portions and then freeze .... defrost or micro from frozen for spurts of 30 seconds till hot.
Freezes beautifully!!

Fleur20 Wed 05-Jan-22 21:03:02

Thin slices are fab served hot as part of a full breakfast!!??

Aveline Wed 05-Jan-22 21:03:10

But I haven't already cooked it!

Fleur20 Wed 05-Jan-22 21:10:15

Whether it is a homemade or commercially produced one it will still have been previously cooked. Otherwise you would have a bowl of raw ingredients!

Aveline Wed 05-Jan-22 21:11:00

Phew! Was worrying what it might do to DH's innards!

Fleur20 Wed 05-Jan-22 21:15:52

Unpeel from wrappings carefully...get that sharp knife out and enjoy!!
I wrap slices individually in greaseproof and then altogether in tinfoil but I am sure you have your own system!

Mapleleaf Wed 05-Jan-22 21:16:00

I think, Aveline that Fleur is saying that it will have already been cooked prior to you receiving it, so that it’s second steaming is when you take it out if it’s box. This second steaming (reheating) can either be done conventionally, by steaming in a pan of hot water, heated in a slow cooker or microwaved. As you are wondering if this stage can be done a portion at a time in the microwave, then yes, I think this is possible, as others say - just do it in short bursts, and keep checking. The remaining pud should keep well in the fridge if well wrapped up, or, as Fleur says, freeze these portions, then defrost & reheat as and when you want some. Enjoy ?

Mapleleaf Wed 05-Jan-22 21:18:28

Sorry, I posted at the same time as Fleur responded - I am repeating what she says, sorry about that. ?

Fleur20 Wed 05-Jan-22 22:04:55

Great minds Mapleleaf!!
I'll take that!!

Lincslass Wed 05-Jan-22 22:12:03

Aveline

We were sent a Christmas pudding out of the blue just before Christmas. It's a large one. We didn't need it as we already had one.
I found it again today. I wondered if it would be OK to take a couple of spoonfuls of it and microwave them. We could then have it between ourselves over the next few days rather than waste it. Would that be safe? How long should I microwave it for?
Any ideas welcome.

I don’t see why it shouldn’t be fine. I microwaved a small one, 100 grms, for 40 seconds in 800 watt. Christmas puds have spirit in them and I guess some preservatives so it should be ok, if kept in fridge.
Enjoy.

M0nica Wed 05-Jan-22 22:13:21

I make my own puddings and cook them after i have mixed then and then store them until I want them. I then reheat all or part in the mictowave as I use it.

Why not just cut a piece, bung it in the microwave for a minute and see how it comes out. that way you will know whether it can be cut and reheated. Always works for me.

Hetty58 Wed 05-Jan-22 22:19:17

Aveline, we once got through an extra pudding by frying a few slices, now and then - and serving with ice cream. It was wrapped in foil and lived in the bread bin!

Cabbie21 Wed 05-Jan-22 23:23:19

It will be delicious, don’t waste it. Just cut off as much as you want to eat and microwave for a short time, starting with 30 seconds for one small portion. It soon spoils if you overheat it.
Don’t reheat again. It will keep for a day or two in the fridge, though it can go hard, so freezing the extra portions is a good idea. Enjoy!