British Summers
by allthebest • 14 Aug ’07 • foods, travel • 13 Comments
photo Flickr copyrighted by Smitten Kitchen
Unfortunately it seems that we have missed having a summer in the UK this year. The rain and flooding has been particularly tragic for many in England. This past Saturday our neighbors hosted a party in their lovely garden and it was a complete washout. But in the end we had a great time. Everyone huddled under the green and white marquee, managing to stay dry, and the party went on well into the evening.
But for today I can live vicariously through past photos from British Homes and Gardens. Perhaps I should make a summer pudding while it is officially summer and the berries are still available.
Summer Pudding or Summer Fruit Pudding is a British dessert made of sliced white bread layered in a deep bowl with macerated berries.
1 loaf of good quality, thickly sliced bread
3 pounds of mixed summer berries (raspberries, blueberries strawberries, blackberries, redcurrants)
1 cup of sugar
Zest of 1 lemon (unwaxed)
Wash and pick over the fruit removing any stalks. Butter the inside of a 3-pint pudding mold. Remove crusts from the sliced bread. Line the pudding mold with the bread slices, slightly overlapping each slice so there are no gaps in between them. Press the edges together so the bread forms a complete mold inside the bowl.
In a non-reactive pan, bring the mixed berries, lemon zest and sugar to a gentle simmer, until the sugar is dissolved and the fruits are releasing their juice. This should only take about 5 minutes. You want the fruit to keep its shape. Reserve about 3/4 cup of juice and refrigerate. Pour the rest of the fruit and juice into the bread-lined pudding mold.
Seal the top completely with further, overlapping, slices of bread. Cover the bread with a small flat plate or saucer that fits snugly inside the basin. Weigh down the plate with at least 3lbs of weights or a very heavy can or jar.
Refrigerate overnight. The weight will cause the juice to bleed through the bread staining it red. Before serving, gently slide a flexible spatula between the bread and the mold to loosen. Invert the bowl onto a serving plate.
Use the reserved juice to color any areas that still white. Pour any remaining juice over the top of the pudding. Cut into wedges to serve and pair with fresh whipped cream or crème fraiche.
Love summer pudding… great memories of having at at my auntie’s house in Norwich.
It’s so yummy!
Beautiful image. We have been suffering from 100 degree heat (and smog) in Atlanta, so “summer pudding” sounds refreshing.
I love summer pudding! Delish
This recipe sounds wonderful. Weather has been strange all over latey hasn’t it? I hope the rain stops soon for you!
Thanks Brilliant Asylum. I have a friend who is in Atlanta this week and she said it is stifling!
Glad you are back Jennifer!!
It has been strange hasn’t Katie!
Oh that top image is so inviting! Lovely.
Ronda,
I second Courtney’s comment on the tent or marquee. Love that! I enjoy your blog and am linking you on mine under Fab Reads, if that’s ok?
Oh, the rain! We went to Dublin and London for a month in the spring and I hadn’t seen so much rain and clouds for so many days in a row in my whole life. All the great food, places to shop, things to do made up for it though!
We had a wonderful summer pudding this July at the The Dysart Arms – Bunbury, just outside of Cheshire. UK. I believe it is a special sometimes on their menu.
Annechovie, I would be thrilled to be listed under your fab reads. I adore your work! I will link yours too.
The rain has been just awful Leigh! I’m glad you found good food and good shopping!!
Thanks for the tip Terry!
Yum…I must find some time to make that pudding before the berry season is over. I am in total empathy with you as we have had a rotten rainy summer to date…but there is still hope.
PS I can smell the raspberries in that photo.
Patricia, do make it if you get a chance. It’s so nice and refreshing!