| How to Steam a Pudding Posted: 23 Dec 2020 04:00 PM PST Steamed pudding is a classic dessert that you might eat on a chilly winter's night. Sweet or savory, this method of cooking up a cake mix leaves the sponge moist and light, and it pairs perfectly with cream or hard sauce. When you steam a dessert instead of baking it, prepping the mold and wrapping it up is key; the rest is mostly waiting. By keeping a few tips in mind, you can wow your friends and family with a delicious steamed pudding that looks professional! [Edit]Fill the Mold - Grease your mold with butter. You can use a steamer mold, a pudding basin, or any dish that's oven-safe. Grab a pat of butter and give it a light coat all over so your pudding doesn't stick to the inside once it's steamed.[1]
- Adding grease is super important! Otherwise, your pudding could get stuck and lose chunks when you go to turn it out.
- Pour your pudding mixture into your greased mold. You can steam tons of different puddings: Christmas puddings, fruit and nut puddings, cranberry puddings, and even chocolate puddings. Pour your mixture into the mold, then use a spoon to pack it down flat.[2]
- Try to leave about of space at the top for the pudding to expand as it steams.
- Cut one square of grease-proof paper and one square of tinfoil. Grab a roll of grease-proof paper and cut out a square that's slightly larger than your pudding mold. Then, cut out a square of tinfoil that's about larger than your grease-proof paper square.[3]
- Your measurements don't have to be exact. Just make sure your grease-proof paper is big enough to cover the top of your mold with some excess hanging off.
- You can find grease-proof paper in the baking aisle of most grocery stores.
- Fold the grease-proof paper inside of the tinfoil to make a pleat. Set the grease-proof paper on top of the tinfoil, then fold both sheets in half to make a crease. Press down on the fold with your hand to really set it in place, then unfold the squares.[4]
- The crease in the middle will expand as the pudding heats up.
- Cover your mold foil-side up. Grab your tin foil and grease-proof paper, keeping the grease-proof square underneath the tinfoil square. Place them both on top of the mold with the tin foil facing upwards and press down the edges.[5]
- Don't worry if your tin foil isn't sticking down just yet; you can secure it down in just a moment.
- Tie the foil and paper to the mold with a length of twine. Cut a length of twine that's a little bit longer than the circumference of your mold (again, you can eyeball it here). Wrap the twine just underneath the lip of your mold, then tie it in a tight knot to keep your grease-proof paper and aluminum foil in place.[6]
- The steam will push air and water upwards, which can push the covering right off your mold. That's why using twine is so important!
- Thread another length of twine to create a handle. Cut another length of twine about as long as the first one, then thread one end through the length of twine on the mold. Thread the other end through the other side of the twine, then tie the 2 ends together at the top of the mold to make a little handle.[7]
- It's much easier to grab your pudding when it's done if you have a convenient handle.
[Edit]Traditional Steamer - Fill a pot with about of water. Grab a pot that's slightly larger than your steamer basket and fill it up with enough water to cover the bottom. Make sure the water doesn't actually touch the bottom of your mold, or your pudding might get boiled instead of steamed![8]
- Place the steamer basket inside the pot and turn it to medium heat. Lower your steamer basket into the pot, then set the pot on the stove. Turn your stovetop to medium heat and allow the pot to heat up until it's simmering, or small bubbles are rising to the surface of the water.[9]
- Getting your water to boil could cause it to evaporate too quickly, but simmering it will keep it in the pot for longer.
- Put your pudding in the pot, then cover it for 1 to 2 hours. Grab your pudding and slowly lower it into the pot, making sure the bottom doesn't touch the water at all. Put a lid on your pot and set a timer for 1 to 2 hours, or however long the recipe suggests for your particular pudding.[10]
- Most recipes say to steam your pudding for 1.5 to 2 hours, but some puddings need as long as 5 or 6 hours.
- Top up the water if the pot dries out. Every 20 minutes or so, check on the water level in your pot. If you notice that it's getting dry, pour a little bit more water in there so your pudding keeps steaming. If the pot dries out, it could scorch your pudding, so it's good to keep an eye on it.[11]
- If you want to go the extra mile, you could keep some warm water in a kettle to add to the pot. That way, it doesn't have to spend time warming up when you pour it in.
[Edit]Oven Technique - Set your oven to . When it comes time to steam, low and slow is the name of the game. Keep your oven at this temperature to avoid burning the pudding or boiling your water.[12]
- Depending on your oven, preheating could take between 5 and 10 minutes.
- Place your covered mold in a deep roasting pan. Try to use a pan that has sides at least tall. Gently place your mold in the center of the roasting pan to sit in as it steams.[13]
- If you're worried about your mold slipping, you can line your roasting pan with a kitchen towel first.
- Pour of water into the roasting pan. Make sure there's enough water to reach about halfway up the sides of the mold. If you want to jump start the process, boil the water first to get it hot.[14]
- You can also use hot water from your tap.
- Bake the pudding for 2 hours. Set a time for 2 hours, and check on your pudding when it goes off. Check your pudding with a toothpick to see if the center is done. If not, put it back in the oven for 10 minutes at a time.[15]
- The steam from the hot water will cook the pudding slowly as the oven keeps the whole thing warm.
[Edit]Slow Cooker Option - Place your pudding mold in the center of your slow cooker. Keep your slow cooker off for now as you situate your mold. Try to make sure it's mostly centered so it cooks evenly.[16]
- If your slow cooker isn't big enough to fit your mold, this method will be a little tricky. You can always split your pudding into smaller dishes until they fit, or you can try a larger slow cooker.
- Fill the slow cooker up about halfway with water. You can use cool water from your tap. Make sure the water comes about halfway up the mold so your pudding gets steamed evenly.[17]
- Slow cookers heat up quickly, so you don't need to boil your water first.
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on high for 3 to 4 hours. The water will start to evaporate and the lid will trap the steam, leaving you with a perfectly cooked and moist pudding. Check the center of your pudding with a toothpick when you think it's done to double check.[18]
- Slow cookers take a little longer than ovens or stove tops since they have a smaller surface area.
[Edit]Remove the Mold - Take the pudding out of the pot and cut the string. When time is up, grab your pudding by the handle and slowly lift it up and out of the pot. Set it on a flat surface and cut the string to open up your pudding and check it out.[19]
- The string might be a little warm, so use caution!
- If you're not sure your pudding is done, slide a toothpick into the center. If it comes out clean, you're good to go. If there's a bit of pudding stuck to the toothpick, it might need a bit more time.
- Slide a knife in between the pudding and the mold. Pudding can get a little sticky when it's been steamed, especially if it was a wet mixture. Use a knife to gently unstick the edges of the pudding from the mold before you turn it out.[20]
- Hopefully the butter you added earlier will be enough to slide the pudding right out of its mold.
- Flip the pudding upside down onto a plate. Grab a large plate and place it on top of the pudding mold, then grab the edges of the plate. Quickly turn the pudding mold upside down, then slide the mold off the pudding so it stands up on its own.[21]
- If the pudding is too hot to touch, let it cool for about 5 minutes before you turn it out.
- Serve the pudding with cream, custard, or hard sauce. Traditionally, steamed pudding is served with a creamy sauce that's poured on top of it. While your pudding is still warm, add a bit of your sauce and then slice it up to serve to your guests.[22]
- You can save your pudding by covering it with plastic wrap or foil. Then, you can heat it up by steaming it again for 2 hours.
- If your pudding is sticking to the inside of the mold, gently tap the top to make it fall out.
[Edit]Things You'll Need [Edit]Filling the Mold - Pudding mold
- Grease-proof paper
- Aluminum foil
- Twine
[Edit]Steaming Traditionally [Edit]Steaming in the Oven [Edit]Steaming in a Slow Cooker [Edit]Turning It Out [Edit]References |
| How to Enjoy Your Holiday Alone Posted: 23 Dec 2020 08:00 AM PST Many holidays are centered around surrounding yourself with family members and gathering in large groups, so it can be tough to enjoy your holiday all by yourself. However, spending a holiday alone can actually be more enjoyable than hanging out with other people, and you might even find that you like it more. There are a few things you can do on your own to make your holiday season special this year. [Edit]Relaxing - Stay in your pajamas all day. If you're planning to spend the day at home, you don't need to bother with real pants. Put on your softest sweatpants or your coziest robe and lounge around the house while staying comfortable.[1]
- If staying in pajamas all day makes you feel a little gross, don't be afraid to change into real clothes.
- You could even treat yourself to a new pair of cozy pajamas.
- Sleep in. It's your holiday! Turn off your alarm and let your body wake up naturally. You can enjoy the extra rest and return to your normal life feeling refreshed and energized.[2]
- Holidays with other people often involve a long itinerary that you might have to wake up early for. Enjoy the time you get sleeping while you spend this holiday alone!
- Take a nap in the middle of the day. Speaking of sleep, why not catch up on it in the afternoon? When the entire day is yours, you can use it how you please. If you're feeling tired, take a quick siesta in your bed or on your couch.[3]
- If you're worried about sleeping the day away, set an alarm to wake you up after 1 to 2 hours.
- Have a spa day at home. Run yourself a bubble bath, put on a face mask, and paint your nails. Give yourself a deeply relaxing afternoon to enjoy your time alone without the distraction of anyone else's company.[4]
- Throw on some soothing tunes and read a book while you soak in the tub for a truly relaxing experience.
- You could also try doing simple yoga. Even 15 minutes can help you feel relaxed and centered. You can look up classes in your area, or try a class online.[5]
- Reach out to family and friends. If you want to see your loved ones but you can't be there in person, a quick phone call or a video chat will probably help. Send them a text to see when they're available and spend some time talking about your holiday traditions, even if you can't be together in person.[6]
- They can also give you some emotional support if you're feeling a little lonely or sad.
- Limit your technology use. If you're spending your holiday alone, it might be tempting to stay completely plugged in to your social media and email, but taking a break is good for your mental health. Try turning off your phone and computer to focus on yourself throughout the day instead of others.[7]
- Create a specific time in the day and amount of time to use technology during your holiday. This will help you keep your connection in check.
- Focus on creating time for other things, like reading or drawing.[8]
[Edit]Treating Yourself - Plan an outing to the movies, a museum, or a park. If you're not the type of person who likes to spend all day at home, try going out somewhere instead. You could go shopping, see a movie or a play, take a crafting class, or go on a hike.[9]
- Some attractions might be closed for the holidays or have different hours. Check online to see what's open before you head out for the day.
- Eat your favorite foods. Whether you want to go out to your favorite restaurant or cook at home, splurge a little on food. It's what the holidays are all about, right?[10]
- This could be as simple as stocking up your fridge before your holiday so you don't have to worry about going to the grocery store.
- Get a little fancy. Make a cheese plate, and buy a nice wine just for you. Or, just spend some time plating up your favorite junk foods instead of eating them straight from the bag.
- Even though you're on your own, clean up right after you eat to keep your holiday and space relaxing.
- Give yourself a gift. Gifts don't have to just be for other people! If there's something you've been eyeing in the shops for a while, go out and buy it for yourself. It's a holiday, and you deserve it.[11]
- If you want to get even fancier, you could wrap it up in gift wrap, too.
- Create a new holiday tradition. While traditions are fun to uphold, they can be a little hard to do on your own. Instead, try making a new holiday tradition all on your own that you can do every year, whether you're on your own or with other people. You could:[12]
- Be a tourist in your own town.
- Walk around your neighborhood to see the Christmas lights.
- Watch a new holiday movie.
- Send holiday cards to your friends and family.
- Get away for a few days. If your budget is flexible enough, try planning a weekend trip to a resort or a spa. This will get you out of the house and give you some nice activities to do during the holidays so you don't spend them in your home by yourself.[13]
- Ski resorts, tropical destinations, and small towns are all fun to visit during the holidays.
[Edit]Being Productive - Volunteer somewhere. If you live near a shelter or a mission, reach out to see if they need help during the holidays. If you already volunteer somewhere, ask if you can come in on your day off. Giving back is what the holidays are all about, and it will probably make you feel good, too.[14]
- If you volunteer somewhere and you enjoy the experience, consider volunteering more often than just one day a year.
- Dive into a creative project. If you have a creative outlet, dive in and make something really special. You could draw, paint, make a collage, embroider, or knit—whatever makes you feel accomplished at the end of the day.[15]
- If you need to get holiday gifts for people, you could use your crafting skills to make them ornaments or care packages.
- Do some chores around your home. There's nothing better than sitting down at the end of the day in a sparkling clean home. Give your area a deep clean so you can relax and enjoy the rest of your holiday in peace.[16]
- Make the chores more fun by throwing on your favorite TV show or some fun tunes in the background.
- Tackle a few home projects. Is there a room in your home that needs to be painted? Or a closet that's particularly messy? If you'd like to, you can knock out a few of these projects while you're home by yourself.[17]
- If a home project sounds like too much right now, stick to simple chores instead.
- Being alone for the holidays can actually be more relaxing than surrounding yourself with other people.
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Trim Lamb Chops Posted: 23 Dec 2020 12:00 AM PST Even the best lamb chops might need a little trimming when you bring them home from the butcher's. In most cases, you just need to cut away visible fat. However, for a more ambitious project, you can buy an entire rack of lamb and trim it yourself. Cleaning the bones of fat is called Frenching and this simple process gives your rack of lamb a professional, polished look. - Lay the rack flat and slice in between each bone to make rib chops. Cutting custom chops is as easy as slicing through a rack! Place a trimmed rack of lamb flat on a cutting board and use your boning knife to cut through the meat in between each bone to make individual chops. If you want a double rib chop, just cut between every 2 bones instead of between every single bone.[1]
- Rib chops are one of the most popular lamb cuts for a reason—they're like a ribeye steak that has a bit of belly meat at the base of the bone.
- Cut away fat from the sides of a rib, loin, or shoulder chop. It's always a good idea to trim any type of lamb chop you bring home. Just take a sharp knife and cut off the opaque white fat that you see on the sides of your lamb chops. Try to cut off as much fat as you can, but be careful not to trim off flavorful meat.[2]
- Looking for lean chops that don't have a lot of fat? Pick up loin chops! These are boneless and lean, so there's not much fat to trim.
- Set the chops at room temperature for 1 hour before you cook them. It's easy to overcook lamb chops if you start cooking them straight out of the fridge. To ensure a golden-brown crust and tender interior, bring the meat to room temperature for an hour. Then, you can grill, roast, or slow cook them.[3]
- If you're not ready to use the lamb right away, refrigerate the chops in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
[Edit]Rack of Lamb - Cut straight across the fat of the rack. To get a good idea of where to cut, lay a rack of lamb flat on a cutting board with the fat side facing up. Take a sharp boning knife and cut through this fat down to the bone from 1 end of the rack to the other. This makes a guideline that you'll use to cut between the rib bones.[4]
- Slice about from the rib eye meat.
- It's really important to use a sharp boning knife that you're comfortable with handling.
- Slide the knife horizontally in between each rib bone. There's a lot of fat to remove from the rack, so set the rack vertically and hold the rib bones with 1 hand. Then, put your knife through the guideline you just cut and push until it comes out through the other side of the rack. Wiggle the knife from side to side so you mark the other side of the rack. Do this in between each rib bone across the rack.[5]
- Be really careful as you do this and don't let the rack slide as you work.
- Score the membrane on each rib bone. Lay the rack down so you can see the ribs with the thin, white membrane. Since the membrane is really tough when you cook it, take your knife and cut along each bone so you slice the membrane. This makes it easier to remove.[6]
- Membrane is tough, so don't be afraid to push hard with your knife so it scrapes into the bone.
- Pull the fat and membrane back and away from the rib bones. Now it's time to get rid of the fat and membrane that's covering the rib bones. Flip the rack over and bend the fat and membrane away from the ribs. It takes some strength, so pull hard and the fat and membrane will come off.[7]
- Having trouble pulling the fat and membrane off? No worries! Use your knife to cut through the membrane that you can't pull.
- Scrape the sides of each rib bone to get rid of anything that's sticking to them. You're almost done trimming the rack! You might see bits of meat or fat clinging to the sides of the rib bones. Cut these away and pull them off if they're large enough. For little bits, use the back of your knife to scrape back and forth along the sides of the bones.[8]
- Don't use the sharp edge of your knife to scrape the bones or you'll dull the blade really fast.
- Rub a clean towel over each bone to wipe them clean. To get the bones looking neat and polished, take a clean kitchen cloth or paper towel and wipe it around each bone. This just removes the tiniest bits of meat or fat off of the exposed bones.[9]
- If your rack has a few short bones near the base of the meat, cut the strip of bones away so you'll be able to cut the rack later.
- Cut off the fat cap that's covering the rack. Now that you've got the exposed bones looking great, it's time to focus on the meat. Lay the rack flat with the fat side facing up and start to pull it back with your hand. Then, use your knife to cut away the thick layer of fat that's covering the tender meat. If you see a shimmery thin layer of silverskin, pull that off as well.[10]
- Silverskin is connective tissue that becomes tough and chewy when you cook it. This is why it's important to trim off any that you see.
- Rack of lamb is great to toss on the grill or roast in the oven.
- If you don't see lamb packaged in your meat department, ask the butcher. Since lamb might not be as popular in your area as beef or chicken, they might take requests instead.
- You might see rib chops sold as lollipops since their long bone with meat at the end looks like a lollipop.
[Edit]Warnings - It's really easy to cut yourself when handling raw meat, so be careful when you're using a knife.
[Edit]Things You'll Need - Boning knife
- Cutting board
- Kitchen towel or cloth
[Edit]References |
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