 Linnie Rawlinson is the Special Projects Editor in CNN's London bureau. As the temperature falls and the leaves start to crackle under foot, British minds turn towards comfort food – and there’s nothing more comforting than a traditional suet pudding. Suet, as in, beef fat? In a dessert? Why yes, actually. And do you know what? It’s really rather good. And then there’s something about the texture of suet, the thin, slightly gritty layer that’s left on the roof of your mouth, that’s marvelously satisfying. It’s hearty, it’s delicious and it warms the parts other puddings simply can’t reach. Suet doesn’t taste of beef, or mutton; at most there’s a wholesome hint of the farmyard about it. It’s also deceptively light, making doughs that are fluffy and golden, and it goes splendidly with custard. So in the winter, especially after a long country walk, there’s nothing quite so satisfying. Suet puddings are the cornerstones of British “nursery” food – stodgy, hot, carb-heavy yet cheap meals that were (and in places, still are) popular with schoolchildren and nostalgia-lovers alike. They’re a long way from the tantalizing, petite desserts we see in high-end restaurants today. They do one thing: Fill. You. Up. Culinary historian Kate Colquhoun has dated the earliest mention of suet pudding to a 1617 recipe for “Cambridge Pudding,” a pudding made with dried fruits, boiled in a pudding cloth, named because it was made for students at Cambridge University. For most people, until the method of cooking using pudding cloths was invented, puddings could only be cooked when an animal was slaughtered, as only the grandest houses had home ovens and the stomach or intestines of an animal were the only available containers that could hold a pudding mixture that could be cooked over a fire. Get a recipe for Christmas pudding But then it was discovered that a cloth dipped in hot water and dusted with flour would hold a pudding mixture that could be boiled. This meant that hearty, nourishing puddings could be cooked all year round, and suet puddings, both savory and sweet, quickly became incredibly popular: By the eighteenth century, they were a central part of the British diet. Puddings had their famous fans too – the writer Samuel Johnson was noted for his fondness for puddings, albeit of the savory sort, and Charles Dickens described them thus in “A Christmas Carol”: “A smell like a washing-day! That was the cloth. A smell like an eating-house and a pastrycook's next door to each other, with a laundress's next door to that. That was the pudding.” Suet puddings fell out of favour in the latter half of the 20th century, primarily because of health concerns, but have made a comeback in recent years, being championed by British chefs such as Heston Blumenthal, Delia Smith and Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall. I remember devouring our school cook’s puddings with joy after forcing down tepid slices of questionable meat and grey school cabbage. (Remember: The cabbage isn’t ready until ALL the vitamins are boiled out.) Mrs. Mac’s jam roly-poly was a dream by comparison – a sweet, sticky, spiraled slice of jammy goodness and the only thing to help us recover from hockey in time for double maths. So here are my top five suet puddings you really should try: The perfect gateway drug for those seeking to develop a suet pudding habit, the jam roly-poly is, as its name suggests, a suet pastry spread with jam, rolled like a Swiss roll and then steamed or baked. This pretty pudding is a hearty belly-filler and, because of its sweetness, a particular favorite with children. Serve with generous lashings of custard. This nursery classic is a solid, space-filling, rib-sticking pudding that’ll fill you up and fuel you for hours. Deceptively light and fluffy and often rolled like a jam roly-poly, it should also be served with lashings of custard. Oh, and stop sniggering at the back. According to one theory, the “spots” are the raisins; the “dick” is the dough, or dog, if it’s rolled. Odds-on favorite for “best-named pudding in history,” the clootie dumpling is a spiced suet delight, studded with fruit and steamed in a cloth (or clootie). It’s a Scottish recipe similar to Christmas pudding, but lighter and with less fruit, generally served sliced and often made to mark celebrations such as birthdays and Christmas. My personal favorite, and a source of regional pride (I’m a Sussex lass), the Sussex Pond Pudding is a suet pastry pudding with a lemon, called a “frog,” at its center. As the pudding steams, the lemon releases its juices, and when the pudding is cut, a fragrant, tartly sweet lake of buttery sauce pools out. It's truly the queen of puddings. And if the Sussex Pond Pudding is the queen, this magnificent double-steamed beast is most certainly the king. Packed with more fruit and nuts than a shop full of Whole Foods hippies, it’s rich, dark and strongly flavored as it’s allowed to mature before its final steaming. They’re traditionally made on Stir Up Sunday (the last Sunday before Advent) but some swear they’re best when allowed to mature for years. As a vital part of a British Christmas lunch, a proper Christmas pud should be crowned with holly, doused in brandy and set on fire, borne into the dining room by a triumphant cook. My mother sloshes on the brandy with great enthusiasm – so far no lost eyebrows. You’ll likely only manage a small portion, but don’t worry about leftovers. My Scottish mother-in-law remembers her grandmother and great-aunt frying slices of Christmas pudding in butter and lemon juice on Boxing Day. And if that doesn’t clog your arteries warm the cockles of your heart, I don’t know what will. Previously - A quest for Christmas pudding (with a recipe) and 5@5 – What you don't know about British food |
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I can't get enough spotted dick in my mouth.
Seriously people, grow up! Brits laugh at Americans sitting on their fannies (definitely means something different over there). These are wonderful deserts for cold winter months, especially with lashings of hot custard. Good article.
I tell you what, I'm not eating something called 'spotted dick', and i don't care if you show me the list of ingredients and it turns out there is no actual spotted dick in 'spotted dick'. I'll be eating it and thinking all along that there could be, therefore it is off my list of things to eat.
Apple pie made with lard in the crust instead of butter is amazing. Not sure why cooking with lard is odd at all.
Ha! You guys are funny ... but seriously, I prefer my spotted dick in the can :)
That's what she said.
If you have spotted dick, GO SEE THE DOCTTTOOOOOORRRRRR!!!!!!
The title's misleading. I thought they were talking about Michael Jackson.
My spotted dick moves silently through the grass, careful not to alarm its prey.
Seriously……………..I am a sophisticated eater and a first generation American. My bloodline (and cuisine exposure) is French, Italian, Spain and England).
Spotted Dick and Treacle is really disgusting stuff. There is no camouflaging its taste. Sad to say, most English cuisine is not that great.
According to Craig Ferguson, most Scottish food is based on a dare. ;)
Quebec...Land of English cuisine and French charm.
i believe it's a crime against humanity to say "British/English" and "Cuisine" in the same sentence. Although Ireland isn't too far off, they once asked me if I'd like a potato with my lasagna...
How do you camouflage spotted dick ? Sounds like the camouflage is already built in. Tough to spot on the well dressed holiday table.
I like ALL kind of dick. Spotted, striped, dark or light, cut or uncut it just has to be properly wrapped!
Do you like Cheney kind of dick ?
Well, I guess some dick is too rotten to use.
Excellent! I was raised on Yorkshire pudding during holidays and became interested in more sophisticated puddings. I am always on the look-out for new ones, sometimes even passing on the recipes to Brits. My favorite has fresh rosemary from the garden, currants, nutmeg, cloves & cinnamon.
Patrick O'Brien's books include descriptions of spotted dick and several other puddings.
Seriously though, I think they wrote "dick" instead of "duck" as a way to get attention for the article.
that is the name of the dessert; spotted dick.
Spotted dick is usually served with smelly poosey.
Richard
if you haven't spotted dick you just weren't looking hard enough! happy holidays!
is this like a blotchy Johnson.............
Now THAT was funny!
I HAVE A LARGE SPOTTED DICK HANGING BY THE FIREPLACE FOR MRS SANTA CLAUSE SHE GETS A NEW ONE EVERY YEAR
The ladies love my carrot patch and spotted dick.
No they're just being polite.
You people really need to grow up. As an American I'm ashamed at the childish attitudes towards are friends and cousins across the pond. If you haven't tried British puddings you really should. When done right they are delicious. Not very healthy with all the lard (or butter in some cases) but quite tasty.
No wonder Europeans think Americans are unsophisticated. . . .
No, you're unsophisticated! :P
Oh, honestly, people – the Brits probably think we're just as weird to have a snack called Little Debbie.
this was truly the most stomach turning subject matter on CNN in awhile...I don't know how the Brits have survived
Have you ever had Spotted Dick or Treacle?
OMG………….the most disgusting thing ever!!!!!!!
Smothering it will different things did not help. YUK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
CNN......You HAD to know where this was going , now didn't you....
I think this is the once-a-year opportunity for them to let responders think that they're actually getting away with something.
What did the Mohel say when offered some spotted dick?
"I'm trying to cut back."
Does the spotted dick go down smooth?
The spots on the dick should be discarded, but the dick itself can be swallowed whole!
You people sound like 9 year olds...
And why are you listening to 9 year olds? Do their parents know you are in the vicinity?
Who comes on a message board and says that... shut the eff up.
Most CNN viewers LOVE the spotted dick, women and men alike!
You people are just NASTY!!!! For the love of God or society, please, go see a dermatologist if there is something different about your "little buddy". lol
Spotted dick should not be permitted too cool before consumed. Only leave the dick to cool for about 5 min. The dick tastes best while it's contents are hot!
Marry Me?
Lovely comment. How do you feel about feeding one's pussy (as in cat) spotted dick?
I'm all for it. As often and frequently as possible. ~_~
That depends. Robin could be a male or female name.
Most woman and lots of men likes dick...
I tried my neighbors spotted dick, I told him that it was lovely but it was actually a bit chewy and had no cream. Blah, next time I have someone's spotted dick besides my husbands, I'll touch it first to be sure it's plump with cream!
My Dalmatian has that
Bunch of giggling guses in this comment section.
Piers Morgan eats spotted dick on a daily basis.
spottedDICK!!! HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA
@spotteddick ....Check WebMd.com....they helped me out.
Good grief – are these comments being written by 13 year old boys? OMG they said "dick".
Oh wait.
I said dick. I just said dick again. Hee hee.
A spotted dick is typically not the kind of dick which one would put into one's mouth.
I knew spotted Dick. I was friends with spotted Dick, and you sir, are no spotted Dick.
If ladies partake of spotted dick, they contract clootie dumpling.
No, seriously, I think I'll try this recipe. I made a bread pudding one holiday and it ruled.
"Tip:"...which is funny all by itself in relation to the article...
"If you want to make a Spotted Dick in the traditional shape, form the mixture into a cylinder about 20cm long and roll in a pudding cloth, boil for 2 hours."
It was totally funny until I read the traditional shape measurement. Suddenly it's not so funny..and I feel small and inadequate...LOL
spotted dick, gee sounds.... delicious /barf
I believe I remember that Canada officially changed the name to Spotted Richard. That's pretty PC.
I worked in Brit land, now when I talk about 'spotted dick' people think I'm 'off'.
I tried spotted dick, it tastes like ass.
That's what you get for trying Spotted Dick at a rest stop...
Aw, you guys really $uck...when I saw the title I had a dozen jokes ready and you beat me to every one of them.
I know I'm being immature but any title that has "spotted dick" in it gets my immediate attention. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
I've had a spotted dick, then I went to the doctor and they cleared that up right away. I was even offered extra creamy puss.
Only Brits would have NO problem putting fags and spotted dick in their mouths. No wonder they lost the war
daddy had one of those.
BEST COMMENT OF THE DAY + 10 L M F A O
Spotted dick PFFFTTTCHH !!!!!!!! LMAOOOOOOOO HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!
I'm not mature enough to NOT giggle like a 13 year-old.
Oh golly! My sides hurt. They say laughter adds time to your life. I've just gained 20 years. It was one of those silent full belly laughs until I really got going. Wife thought I was dying at first. Tears! I need composure real quick.
Join the crowd. Call me immature also. Too funny. I can hear the conversation at the dinner table, "Would you care for spotted dick?". "Um, no thanks, I'll pass."
Two brits walk into an American resturant and ask the maritre d' "excuse me mame, do you serve spotted dick?" please finish with a punch line. :)
yes. we serve everyone.
Yes, we also serve rotten pu$$y form the other side of your long lost empire! But make sure you tip your server. This is The US not Not UK.Here we tip our server some where from 15% to 30% depending how good the service is, not the measly change you leave on the table for your server and walk out like a king!! LMFAO
"No, but we've got a cook with syphilis!" Enjoy your meal?
The maitre d' says... "I take umbrage sir, the dick we dish out here never has spots, and we prefer not to refer to it as "dick" in case the law is around. Cash or charge?"
Do you think your wife or girlfriend would enjoy spotted dick? Maybe if the had a stripped rump
I had "spotty dick" once. Penicillian cleared it right up...
Spotted dick is great. You can get it in a can, and its basically a spongey putting. It is very mild and filled wth raisins.
see a doctor. immediately!
Yes, most dick does have spongey material. The corpus cavernosa. The raisins, though...that doesn't sound quite right. Sounds like flies, which would indicate someone isn't into hygiene.
Who Wouldn't like Spotted Dick in The Can??????????????
I like the way you think. ~_~
I'm just glad they didn't mention the version called Boiled Baby (from the Jack Aubrey novels).
Dick
lol
I RESENT THE british STEALING MY NICK NAME
come on. nobody calls you SPOTTED.
The idea of eating suet is not strange to one from the American South where everything is made with lard, i.e. animal fat. Oh, and I have a can of Spotted Dick in the pantry right now. Not as good as fresh though. (BTW, I'm a Texan so fire away, y'all idjets!)
who'd wanna eat a spotted dick? yuck
you apparently don't hang out on the same parts of the internet that I do
Of course to get clicks on your article you started your title with "Spotted Dicks" ;)
I wonder who the first Richard was that was so bad they started calling Richards Dick.
I prefer speckled weiner
You may just want to leave this discussion!
Clootie Dumpling is the BEST! It's great out of the pot and even better fried up for breakfast the next morning!
After eating any of these "delicacies", I'm sure I'd have to take myself a pretty big clootie dump!
anyone else see anything wrong with spotted dick?
Only your urologist.
I know a few Brits that should eat my spotted dick!
I heard it can give you the herp
In England, there are more fat people than there are people.
dick