Queenpudding Recipes

MARY BERRY'S QUEEN OF PUDDINGS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 170C/325F/Gas 3 and grease a 1.4 litre/2½ pint shallow ovenproof dish (one that will fit into a roasting tin) with butter.
• For the base, very gently warm the milk in a small saucepan. Add the butter, lemon zest and the 50g/2oz of sugar, stir until dissolved.
• Lightly whisk the egg yolks in a bowl. Slowly pour the warm milk into the eggs, while whisking.
• Sprinkle the breadcrumbs over the base of the buttered dish and pour over the custard. Leave to stand for about 15 minutes, so the breadcrumbs absorb the liquid.
• Carefully transfer the dish to a roasting tin and fill the tin halfway with hot water. Bake the custard in the preheated oven for about 25-30 minutes until the custard has set. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool a little.
• Meanwhile, put the mixed summer fruits into a pan and warm over a gentle heat. Once they've softened and released their juice, add the sugar and cook for a further three minutes.
• Heat gently until you have a jam-like consistency. If you are using frozen berries they will release more liquid so you might need to cook for longer to thicken to the right jam consistency.
• Whisk the egg whites using an electric hand whisk on full speed until stiff peaks form when the whisk is removed. Add the remaining 175g/6oz sugar a teaspoon at a time, still whisking on maximum speed until the mixture is stiff and shiny. Transfer the meringue mixture to a piping bag.
• Spread 4-5 tablespoons of the fruit jam over the set custard, then pipe the meringue on top.
• Lower the oven temperature to 150C/130C Fan/Gas 2 and return the pudding to the oven (not in the roasting tin with water) for about 25-30 minutes until the meringue is pale golden all over and crisp. Serve at once with pouring cream.

QUEEN OF PUDDINGS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter six 1 1/2- to 1 3/4-cup oval gratin dishes; set aside.
• Bring milk, butter, 1/2 cup sugar, the zest, and salt to a simmer in a medium saucepan. Add bread; remove from heat. Let stand, stirring often, 30 minutes.
• Stir in yolks. Divide evenly among prepared dishes. Bake until just set, about 15 minutes. Let cool on a wire rack 30 minutes. Reduce temperature to 325 degrees.
• Heat jam in a small saucepan until thin. Spread over tops of puddings.
• Put egg whites and remaining 1/2 cup sugar into the heatproof bowl of an electric mixer set over a pan of simmering water. Whisk until sugar has dissolved and whites are warm, about 2 minutes. Attach bowl to mixer fitted with whisk attachment. Beat on high speed until medium peaks form. Mound meringue over puddings, leaving a 1/2-inch border.
• Bake until meringue is golden all over and puddings are heated through, about 10 minutes. Serve immediately.

EASY QUEEN OF PUDDINGS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 170C/150C Fan/Gas 3½. Lightly grease the pie dish with butter.
• Gently heat the milk in a small saucepan. Add the lemon zest, butter and 2 tablespoons of the sugar and stir until the sugar is dissolved.
• Lightly whisk the egg yolks in a bowl, then gradually pour in the warmed milk mixture, whisking continuously. Pour the mixture into a baking dish and gently stir in the breadcrumbs. Leave for 15 minutes so the breadcrumbs can soak up the liquid. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until set. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool slightly.
• Heat the jam and raspberries gently in a small saucepan until the raspberries break down, crushing them slightly with the back of a wooden spoon. Spread the jam mixture evenly over the base in the dish.
• Increase the oven temperature to 190C/170C Fan/Gas 5. Whisk the egg whites using an electric hand whisk in a clean bowl until stiff peaks form. Gradually whisk in the remaining sugar until the mixture is stiff and glossy. Spoon the meringue over the jam, using the back of the spoon to spread the mixture over any gaps. Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the meringue is crisp and golden. Serve immediately.