The scent of warm cornmeal wafts out of the pot. It’s been steaming for 2 and a half hours, yet not quite ready. That’s the beauty of it. Ten minutes of making, hours of steaming, time to relax, go play, do homework, make dinner, change the tires on your car – whatever suits your fancy. I was stuck with the homework, dinner making (yay!), and dad changed tires. But as long as someone is around the kitchen, or so, you should be good. It’s so simple and delicious. I made it twice. In less than 26 hours (I think I might have had a touch of overlap!). One orange, one lemon. All topped with fresh whipped cream and warm and comfy. Maybe it sounds odd, but this was a very comfortable dish. It was warm and the cornmeal added such a lovely feel to it.
The April 2010 Daring Bakers’ challenge was hosted by Esther of The Lilac Kitchen. She challenged everyone to make a traditional British pudding using, if possible, a very traditional British ingredient: suet.
I kept the feel of the sponge steamed pudding, with my own ingredients and ideas. In keeping with the British theme (although, it is becoming increasingly popular all around the world as well), I made this by weighing the ingredients. I don’t have the other volume amounts, but I highly recommend trying steamed puddings. This one was almost like a cake, but not quite. Hard to explain, but definitely worth giving a try. If nothing else, try the method. Steaming requires so little prep and a fantastic result.
Citrus Cornmeal Steamed Pudding
Inspired by the April 2010 Daring Bakers Challenge Recipe.
Ingredients
1 ounce tapioca starch
1 ounce sweet rice flour
2 ounces millet
2 ounces cornmeal
2 ounces almond flour
1 tsp xanthan gum
1/4 tsp salt
2 tsp baking powder
3 ounces berry sugar
3 ounces cold unsalted butter, grated
zest of one orange or lemon
1 large egg, very lightly beaten
8 tbsp cold milk
Steps
Whisk together flours, xanthan gum,salt, baking powder and berry sugar. Add zest and mix in.
Rub in butter until only small pea-sized bits of butter remain. Stir in egg and slowly add milk until you have a soft batter.
Place batter in well greased 1 litre pudding bowl. Wet your fingers and press batter down to be relatively even. Cover with foil and secure (I used string to keep it tight).
Steam for 3 or so hours.
Turn out onto a plate and serve with whipped cream.
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This post is linked to Slightly Indulgent Tuesdays and Gluten-Free Wednesdays.
Do you see the orange flecks? That’s the zest. It adds the most lovely flavour.
When buried within the pot (which I later covered), on top of the steamer, the pudding finds it’s place. It can only get better from here.
Yes, it has this perfect shape. Which actually makes it better. It’s easy to cut. Easy to eat.
Especially when you put a couple of spoonfuls of freshly whipped cream on top.
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What have you been baking lately? I haven’t been baking as much – it’s getting down to crunch time at school, so everything is incredibly busy. I’ve been on overdrive. Hence this sort of late Daring Post. Well, life happens. I needed the extra day. It’s funny how a single day can give you so much time and piece of mind.
Have the most fantastic week my dear readers, you truly are amazing. Don’t ever forget that.
xoxo
Lauren
Twitter, Facebook, Foodbuzz and Flickr.
{ 31 comments… read them below or add one }
That looks so good! Perfectly cute and springy!
Hello there, I’m new to your site and just beginning to get the gluten free bug, since I’m pretty sure I have a gluten allergy. This recipe looks so wonderful, I’d really love to try it. I love things with cornmeal that aren’t too sweet. But since I don’t know how to measure food in ounces…well, how do you? With a scale perhaps?
Thanks!
Gorgeous! It looks very dense, like a pound cake – love the citrus addition!
Lauren, that looks so tasty! I love your choice, it reminds me of spring sunshine! Sounds dorky, but it’s sincere. Having little bits of orange zest would be delicious. Brava!
This pudding is so perfect in shape and color. Looking at the texture it is also very moisted! Great taking of this challenge!
Sawadee from Bangkok,
Kris
Your pudding looks so yummy and shaped so nice as well.. I love citrus on my dessert.. great job! 🙂
Wow! The shape is beautiful…and the color! So perfect. I made a gluten-free one, too…with almond flour…it is not so perfect-looking as yours, but it was delicious. I was late posting mine too, but it was a fun challenge, and you did a great job!
I just love your steamed pudding combination. I never thought to use corn meal but I absolutely love it. Your pudding rose beautifully too. Very nice!
I always leave your blog with very strong cravings.
That is pudding perfection what a marvellous effort and result you got. I can’t believe how perfect your pudding looks and it sounds so yummy bravo and kudos to you on such a superb result.
Cheers from Audax in Sydney Australia.
Great job on the challenge, Lauren!! I haven’t been baking much either….I’m feeling the crunch too. It’s a little hectic and wild. I did make a fantastic dinner last night – perfectly roasted chicken, grilled summer squash, and creamy Parmesan risotto (a rare treat at our house – but it’s so good!!).
I love the new look – can’t believe I haven’t seen it yet. Wow. Are you happy with it?? Would love to know all the details because I need to make a change at my place.
Looks delicious! I would love to try a slice, especially with the whipped cream. Great selection of flavors!
Oh yum yum yum! That looks very moist and delicious! Love the orange flecks!!
Wow… Your puddings look and sound amazing, I can almost smell the citrus from here! And your writing is so beautiful and descriptive, I almost didn’t need the pictures… but I am glad they were there! While I don’t need to be gluten free, this has me wanting cornbread type puddings now! thank you!!!
Your pictures are gorgeous! This pudding is the perfect shape too. And the cornmeal is so unique! Sounds delicious.
PS. I love the design of the plate in the last picture (I can’t resist cute dishes like that)!
Your pudding looks great! It’s nice to see some recipes without gluten in them. I have gone off of gluten since completing the challenge so it will be interesting to try some of the recipes I’ve seen posted. Nice job on your challenge!
I want to reach through the screen and take a big bite…
Hugs, Kelly
I love the addition of the orange zest. What great flavor. It looks delicious!
lauren, your pudding turned out so lovely! the idea to use cornmeal was ingenious. and your writing is beautiful as well. you made me want to go make another pudding. hope that you are having a wonderful month! – kristen
Well done Lauren!! Great recipe alternative for a delicious steamed pudding.
Your pudding looks perfect, Lauren. Love those butterflies on the plate. These steamed puddings are a lot like a sponge cake in texture. Just a bit more moist.
I only wish I could get all those gluten-free flours here.
Wonderful job, Lauren! Your citrus cornmeal pudding looks great! I bet it was very light and refreshing!!
That looks delicious, Lauren! We love lemon around here, so I hope to give this a try.
Great idea with the cornmeal (I love things made with it). Great job!
Lauren, you’re so talented my friend.
It doesn’t matter what you do, it always turns out great.
I’m going to miss being in the presence of someone so great.
=)
Oh, it’s beautiful! I’ve always wanted to try steamed pudding, but it seems a bit intimidating.
I haven’t been doing a lot of baking lately. Last night, my sister made some blackberry cobbler, and I helped a little.
I hope your week has been splendid!
Your pudding looks so moist, and the golden yellow colour is beautiful! Way to go!
It looks just like pound cake to me–delish! What is berry sugar, Lauren? And, how do you steam it? Just set the bowl over steaming water?
Thanks,
Shirley
Gorgeous! It really does have a perfect shape. And love those flakes of orange zest…lovely!
Hey Lauren,
I would love to try this, it looks so dense but also really refreshing.
I wanted to let you know that I linked this recipe to My Fav (Top 10) Recipes from Last Week!
~Aubree Cherie
Wow, so lovely! I never think to make sweet things with cornmeal, but I really love them. I’d really consider making this!
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