Its Beginning to Look A Lot Like Frithmas...

[sandypawozbun]

I know it's only August, but people who make their own puddings are in the know.  Now is the time to make puddin'...

Christmas Puddin (SandyPaw's author's recipe)

500g (1lb) butter

500g (1lb) dark brown sugar

500g (1lb) raisins

500g (1lb) sultanas

125g (1/4lb) mixed peel

60g (2oz) blanched, chopped almonds

375g (3/4lb) fine, soft breadcrumbs

Comments

[miladycarol]

What is the difference between a raisin and a sultana? I thought they were two different words for the same dried grape product.

[freyaw]

Raisin is a generic term for all types of dried grapes, but is also used here in Australia to refer to a particular type of dried grape. Raisins are small, more dried-looking, and tasty (IMO), like currants only not, whereas sultanas are larger, juicier, and less flavoursome (IMO). The grapes dried to make sultanas (at least as they are sold so named here in Australia) are large, seedless, white grapes, such as Sultana or Thompson Seedless. Opinion appears to be divided, depending on who you google, as to whether raisins are a different grape (Muscat Gordo Blanco or Waltham Cross) or the same grape dried differently. I lean towards the former, as the difference in flavour between the two varieties is not dissimilar to the difference in flavour between the raw products (I much prefer the Waltham Cross, seeds and all, but they're hard to get due to a lack of local demand).

[miladycarol]

Thanks for that! My husband didn't know, he's always just refered to any raisin as a sultana. I shall have to incorporate this new knowledge into my vocabulary. Cheers!

[freyaw]

*looks at your profile* Oh dear, the Small World Effect has struck again. My significant other has several relatives living in Eugene.

[miladycarol]

Hee hee.. and the other part of my life is spent in Sydney. I love our little rock!