FOOD FRIDAY - QUEEN OF PUDDINGS

“I would rather be a beggar and single than a queen and married.” - Elizabeth I

I can’t believe how busy we have been. Supposedly, this is the quietest time of the year with lots of leisure time, the holidays, not so much work… However, we have been busy with a couple of gardening projects, chores around the house, a couple of repairs, looking for a new fridge as the old one is threatening to die, and the days just vanish! Nevertheless, there is always time for some cooking and as we hadn’t had a proper dessert for some time, we decided to revisit an old favourite, especially as peaches are in season. One can always use canned fruit – especially if in a hurry or if the fruit is out of season.

QUEEN OF PUDDINGS

Ingredients

415g can peach slices in syrup, drained

425g can raspberries in syrup, drained

2 cups fresh breadcrumbs

1 and 1/2 cups caster sugar

1 and 3/4 cups milk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

3 eggs, separated

1/2 cup raspberry jam, warmed

Method

Preheat oven to 170˚C. Grease a 6 cup-capacity ovenproof dish or 6 individual ramekins. Drain peaches and raspberries  well and then pat dry with paper towel.

Combine breadcrumbs and 1/2 cup sugar in a heatproof bowl. Heat milk in a saucepan over medium heat until just starting to simmer (do not boil). Remove from heat. Stir in vanilla. Add milk mixture to breadcrumb mixture. Stir well to combine. Cool for 10 minutes.

Add egg yolks to breadcrumb mixture. Stir well to combine. Pour mixture into prepared dish or equally into the ramekins. Bake for 12-20 minutes or until just set (depending on size of dish/dishes).

Meanwhile, using an electric mixer with a whisk attachment, beat egg whites until stiff peaks form. Gradually add remaining sugar, beating well after each addition, until mixture is thick and glossy and sugar has dissolved.

Increase oven temperature to 180˚C. Spoon warm jam over warm pudding base. Top with peaches and raspberries. Dollop meringue over fruit. Bake for 10 minutes or until meringue is golden and fruit is heated through. Serve immediately.

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