Dickens never had plum pudding like this

(Plum Pudding was part of the traditional Charles Dickens' meal/Associated Press photo)

Plum pudding or even sugarplums for that matter, are not items you'd find in an Italian repertoire when it comes to holiday dishes.
Every culture has its own special recipes that become part of a family tradition. That's what makes the holidays so fun — sharing and sampling those time-honored recipes.

I can honestly say I've never made a plum pudding. But when I decided to feature a Charles Dickens holiday dinner based on "A Christmas Carol" on today's Busy Cook page, it got me thinking about it.

Way back when, holiday puddings took days, even weeks to make, and they tasted better after aging a bit. (Similar to the thought behind those ubiquitous holiday fruit cakes!)

So for those who are feeling adventurous this holiday season, here is a streamlined recipe from The Associated Press for a plum pudding that claims to tame the Scrooge in overzealous cooks, thanks to the help of a food processor.

The inspiration for this shortcut version came from a recipe in an 1861 cookbook written by Eliza Acton, an influential food writer from Dickens’ era, according to food writer J.M. Hirsch.

"Steamed pudding molds are widely available online, most selling for about $20. These resemble small fluted cake pans with tight-fitting covers designed to keep moisture inside during cooking. Alternatively, if you don’t have a steamed pudding mold, a large metal coffee can can be used. You will need several layers of foil and kitchen twine to cover and tightly seal the can during cooking.
And true to original recipes, this pudding improves with age. It’s delicious right from the oven, but if you let it sit overnight (refrigerated or not) it becomes dense, chewy and richly delicious."

Steamed Plum Pudding

Start to finish: 2 1/2 hours (30 minutes active)
Servings: 10 to 12

1. 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
2. 4 slices soft white bread
3. 1 cup all-purpose flour
4. 1/2 teaspoon salt
5. 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
6. 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
7. 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
8. 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
9. 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
10. 1/8 teaspoon ground mace
11. 3 eggs
12. 1/2 cup shortening
13. 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
14. 1/2 cup molasses
15. 1/2 cup raisins
16. 1/2 cup currants
17. 1/2 cup prunes
18. 1/4 teaspoon orange extract
19. Brandy, to serve (optional)
20. Whipped cream, to serve (optional)

• In a large stockpot, bring 3 to 4 quarts of water to a boil.
• Coat the inside of a 7-cup steamed pudding mold with cooking spray, then add the granulated sugar and shake to evenly coat the sides and bottom of the mold.
• In a food processor, pulse the bread until reduced to fine, soft crumbs.
• Add the flour, salt, baking soda, nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves, allspice and mace, then pulse several times to mix.
• Transfer the mixture to a bowl.
• In the food processor, combine the eggs, shortening, brown sugar and molasses.
• Process until smooth, scraping the sides of the bowl as needed.
• Add the raisins, currants, prunes and orange extract. Pulse until the fruit is chopped, but not pureed.
• Return the dry ingredients to the processor and pulse just enough to thoroughly mix them with the wet ingredients.
• You likely will need to scrape down the sides of the bowl once or twice between pulses.
• Transfer the mixture to the prepared mold, then tightly seal with the cover (or with several layers of foil tied tight with twine).
• Place the mold in the stockpot; the water should come about halfway up the mold.
• Cover the stockpot and lower the heat to maintain an even simmer.
• Steam the pudding for 2 hours.
• Remove the mold from the stockpot, uncover the mold and let cool for 15 minutes.
• Unmold the pudding by inverting it onto a plate.
• If desired, drizzle the pudding with brandy, then slice and serve topped with whipped cream.