Clootie Dumpling

This bread is often baked by the Scots and used traditionally in January to celebrate the New Year, but of course it is delicious at any

time of the year.

You will need:  

3oz plain flour  

3oz breadcrumbs 

3oz chopped suet  

1teaspoon of cinnamon  

2oz sultanas  

1/2teaspoon ground ginger or a grate of nutmeg  

2 oz currants  

1/2 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda 

2oz brown sugar 

1 tablespoon of syrup

about 3/4 cup of sour milk or buttermilk

Then: 

Mix all together with enough milk to make a fairly soft consistency.

Dip a pudding cloth into boiling water and wring it.

Dredge it well with flour,put it in a basin and spoon the mixture in.

Draw together evenly leaving enough room for the pudding to swell and tie tightly with string.

Place a plate in the bottom of a steaming pan.

Have enough boiling water to well cover the dumpling.Simmer for 2 hours,adding more water as required.

Turn out onto a hot serving plate,dredge with castor sugar and serve with a hot sauce like custard or a sweet white sauce...

I hope you like this recipe for Clootie Dumpling, the only problem is keeping the bairns away from it long enough to let it cool....

     Janet