Irish Christmas Plum Pudding

Irish Christmas Pudding

Plum pudding has been traditional in most Irish homes and is generally served later in the day on Christmas day together with a custard and the indespensibe cup of tea! And of course a sprig of holly on top.

In Ireland, it is often prepared monts in advance of Chrismas Day and it would not be unusual to start preparations as early as Spring. Generous amounts of alcohol are often poured over the concoction, usually brandy and on the day itself, you can even set it alight!

You will need:

3 oz self raising flour

6 oz Sugar

6 oz butter

3 Eggs

1/2 tsp Cinnamon

1/2 tsp nutmeg

1 tsp Mixed Spice

Pinch of Salt

8 oz sultanas

8 oz cherries

4 oz mixed peel

1/2 pint Guinness or 1/2 cup whiskey

8 oz Ground Almonds





DAY ONE:

Combine dry ingredients i.e. flour, salt, and spices (nutmeg, mixed & cinnamon)

Lightly beat the eggs

Cream butter and sugar then add eggs until mixed well

Fold in the mixed dry ingredients (as listed above)

Add the dried fruit and nuts (raisins, sultans, cherries, almonds and mixed peel) and mix well

Pour on the Guinness (or alcohol) and leave to stand overnight with a cover.

DAY TWO:

It can be steamed for or up to several hours, between five and twelve depending on your taste and the alcohol used. Guinness could use five hours. If you prefer whiskey, the sky’s the limit!

Stovetop Method

To steam on the stove, make a steam bath for the pudding by placing in a greased container and covering with foil or greaseproof paper. Secure with tinfoil and elastic band or string. Place the container in a larger saucepan and fill half way up with water. The pan will need to be topped up regularly with boiling water.

Oven Method

Simply place the covered secured contained in a steam bath at 300 degrees in the oven for the same cooking times. The “bath” will not require “topping up” with water nearly as much as on the stove top, if at all.

DAY THREE

Finally, everyone gets to enjoy this age old recipe! To re-heat, the microwave is always an option. But to remain true to tradition, the old fashioned steaming methods will also work. So keep your steam baths out and put them on for about two hours. outlined above for about 2 hours and serve with custard, cream or ice cream. Of course that comes with a spig of holly on top!

Traditionally, this dish is served a few hours after dinner since it’s quite filling!

The very brave have been known to pour some alcohol on top and set it on fire. Good Luck!

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The Popularity of Beautiful Irish Red Hair in Modern Times

The Popularity of Beautiful Irish Red Hair in Modern Times

One of characteristic options of the people of Ireland is red hair, particularly pale red hair. Although earlier people with red hair were typically ridiculed, nowadays Irish red hair is one of the most popular and fascinating hair colors for girls.

For people with red hair, redhead is the common term used that is commonly related to the people of Irish origin. Red hair will vary from deep orange to bright copper-colored hair, although Irish red hair generally refers to pale red hair. Contrary to the favored belief that Irish people sometimes have red hair, small percentage of Irish people, about 10%, are found with red hair. On the opposite hand, 13% populations of Scotland have red hair. In spite of this reality, red hair is commonly related to Irish people, which, at just once became subject of discrimination and humiliation in England, as a result of the mistrust between the two nations (England and Ireland).

The characteristic red hair related to Irish people is truly caused by the presence of high level of the pigment referred to as pheomelanin. The amount of the dark pigment eumelanin is low among the people with red hair. The concentration of each the kinds of melamin pigments are set by genes. It’s been discovered that the changes within the gene melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R), found on body sixteen is chargeable for manufacturing this hair color. The MC1R recessive variant gene, which supplies red color to the hair, is found to be additional prevailing among the people of Ireland and Scotland.

It has also been determined to be accompanied by pale skin and freckles. Pale or truthful skin is truly ensuing of low concentration of the pigment eumelanin that has special advantage for the people living within the equator regions. These regions sometimes don't receive adequate amount of sunlight and then, light-weight skin is critical to provide adequate amount of vitamin D. On the opposite hand, this additionally has disadvantage, as people with light-weight skin are at higher risk for developing skin cancer.

During the Elizabethan era, such hair became fascinating quality, particularly for women. Queen Elizabeth I of England had red hair and as a result of this fact it became trendy for many women. Gradually, beautiful women with red locks became subject of the many paintings, as painters developed growing interest and fascination with red hair.

Many believe that rarity of red hair is principally responsible for making wide quality for this sort of hair color. Today, celebrities like Lindsay Lohan and Alyson Hannigan have additional accumulated the popularity of red hair among the masses. Now, red dye is one among the most wanted hair dyes by both men and women.

Irish red hair isn't any longer considered as the hair type related to stigma and humiliation. Rather it's become fashion trend and fascinating hair color for nice majority of the population together with celebrities. Aside from Ireland, large numbers of individuals with red hair are found in U. S., Netherlands, Belgium, France, Portugal, Spain, Italy, Germany, Russia and Albania.

Stay tuned for our upcoming blogs on the truths about red hair becoming extinct, why people think gingers steal souls and more!

Find awesome items for the redhead in your life on our website www.ilovebeingirish.net

Irish Cheese Tart Recipe

Short Crust Pastry

3/4 cup of flour

Pinch of salt

3 oz Kerrygold butter, cut into small cubes

3 tablespoons cold water

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F

To make the pastry, sift the flour and salt then rub in the butter until

the mixture resembles bread crumbs.

Add the water and form into a ball. Roll out the pastry until large enough

to line an 8 inch pan.

Place a piece of foil over the pastry to cover the base and sides.

Bake for 10 minutes, then remove the foil and bake for a further 5 minutes.

Remove from the oven to cool.

Cheese Tart Filling

1/2 oz Kerrygold butter

1 small onion

1 clove garlic, crushed or finely chopped

3 slices back bacon, and cut into strips

8 button mushrooms, wiped and cut into thick slices

6 cherry tomatoes, halved

6oz Dubliner cheese, grated

1 cup skimmed milk

3 medium size eggs, beaten

1oz pack fresh Mediterranean herbs, finely chopped

1 teaspoon whole grain mustard

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Reduce the oven temperature to 375 degrees F.

Melt the butter and cook the onions until softened but not browned.

Add the garlic, bacon and mushrooms, then cook for a further 5 minutes.

Spoon the mixture into the pastry base, adding the tomato halves and

sprinkle over the Dubliner cheese.

In a jug mix together the milk, eggs, herbs, mustard and seasoning and pour

over the filling.

Bake for approximately 30 minutes until the filling is just firm to touch,

then serve with a salad.

Serves 4-6

Find this and other great recipes at Food Ireland