Christmas Pudding

I'd never had Christmas pudding before, though we're of English descent and my late cousin made a terrific boozy fruitcake every year. I appreciated the festive and thoughtful packaging and clear instructions for steaming. Had to look up brandy butter (what a range of ingredients!) and can understand why you can't ship it; I made the simplest version. The pudding was the perfect ending for a holiday dinner with a good friend. P.S.: I'd never have known about this without Ruth Reichl's recommendation.

I am not a "natural" cook and am usually and appropriately banished from any kitchen by friends and family. I cannot and DO not blame them. In fact, I celebrate their good sense! SOOOO, when I ordered Talbott & Arding's Christmas pudding as recommended by Ruth Reichl in her La Briffe newsletter, and I must confess preemptorily that I am an unapologetic addict of any Christmas pudding or any mincemeat pastry (heavy on the butter in the pastry and candied citron in the filling but who knows?), which makes me "persona non grata" on family Thanksgivings when surrounded by pumpkin and sweet potato pies both of which I neither understand nor appreciate. SOOOOO I live in a no man's land. But here I was with two small Christmas puddings and I had no idea that the damned things would still have to be cooked, i.e., steamed, when I ordered same. (I am certain that I was NOT terribly attentive to website instructions so that's on me. Old people are like that.) BUT Kate Arding was so very helpful in walking me through the process of prep and preservation. Of course, I now have two lovely porcelain ramekins in which my VERY recently "deceased" Christmas puddings once resided. Kudos to Kate!

Taste great. Maybe include some sauce.

FROM THE GET-GO, MANAGER RYAN WAS AN ELEGANT DREAM, TRUE
CUSTOMER SERVICE, ON THE TELEPHONE. THOUGH TALBOT,S RECORDED MESSAGE SAID "NOT TAKING PHONE ORDERS" HE WAS BEYOND ACCOMODATING FOR NOT ONE, NOT TWO, BUT THREE GLORIOUS
PUDDINGS! THANK YOU! I,VE NEVER BEEN TO YOPUR STORE! A WHOLE
10 YEARS AGO OUR CALIFORNIA COWGIRLS STARTED IT!!!! WHO KNEW?
DEFINITELY BEHIND THE TIMES.
MERRY CHRISTMAS, HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL! YOU OBVIOUSLY HAVE
GREAT TASTE IN HIRING, AND IN PUDDINGS!
XOOXOX T.

Arrived in good condition. Was very tasty. Clear cooking instructions.