Cooking with Catherine: Summer Pudding

Welcome to Cooking with Catherine! This new, exclusive series will cover Kate-related and inspired recipes for the domestic goddess in us all! Look forward to 26 new recipes to test and try out on your own, just like Kate!

Our first recipe is a classic Summer Pudding recipe. This particular recipe came from Pippa Middleton’s book Celebrate. Summer Pudding is a British staple. Not only is it a favorite of Kate’s sister, but it was served at an event Prince Harry attended previously this year. Summer Pudding makes an appearance at many royal events and Kate is undoubtedly a fan. 

The recipe is very easy to make and a little tricky to assembly. It is also VERY British! Making this was outside the norm for me – an All-American girl. However, I was excited to give it a go!

Ingredients:

• 12 oz (1 1/2 cups) fresh OR frozen berries (Pippa calls for fresh, I used frozen)
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 4 tablespoons of fruit liquer (Cassis, Framboise) 
• 4 tablespoons of water
• 8 pieces of white bread (former royal chef Darren McGrady recommends Oroweat/Arnold “Country White”)

 Directions:

1. In a non-stick skillet, heat the berries over medium heat. Add liquor, water and sugar. Stir until sugar dissolves and simmer for 5 minutes.
2. Drain the juices and fruit, reserving the juices in a large bowl.
3. Get out your ramekins and your bread! Cut a piece of bread the size of the bottom of your ramekin and dip it into the juices before placing it into the ramekin. Cut smaller pieces to fully line your ramekin. Dip those in the juices and press all the bread pieces together. (Note: I did not  dip the bread in the juices, but rather used a pastry brush to coat them, which did not produce such a pretty pudding).
4. Spoon the fruit into the small “bread cups.”
5. Using another piece of bread, cover the “bread cup” to fully encase the fruit.
6. Place in the fridge with a weight on top. Let sit overnight.
7. To serve: Invert the ramekins onto a place and serve with whipped cream!

All three of my little puddings came out differently. One tasted like a jelly sandwich, one tasted like sweet bread, and the third tasted like a berry tart. I have no idea how I made them all differently! I think it is a great recipe with really beautiful presentation.