by Davred » Wed Sep 10, 2008 10:51 pm
Steak and kidney pudding
For the suet crust pastry
12 oz self raising flour
6 oz shredded beef suet
salt and freshly milled black pepper
cold water to mix
For the filling
1 1/4lb stewing steak
8 oz ox kidney
2 level tbsp well seasoned flour
1 medium onion sliced
cold water
1 tsp worcestershire sauce
salt and freshly milled black pepper
A 2 1/2 pint capacity pudding basin and steamer are also required
To make the pastry first sift the flour and salt into a large mixing bowl.
Add some freshly milled black pepper, then add the suet and mix it into the flour using the blade of a knife.
When it is evenly blended, add a few drops of cold water and start to mix with the knife, using curving movements and turning the mixture around.
The aim is to bring it together as a dough, so keep adding drops of water until it begins to get really claggy and sticky. Now abandon the knife, go in with your hands and bring it all together until you have a nice smooth elastic dough which leaves the bowl clean
After that, take a quarter of the dough for the lid, then roll the rest out fairly thickly. What you need is a round approx 13� in diameter. Now line the bowl with the pastry, pressing it well all around.
Next chop the steak and kidney into fairly small cubes, toss them in the seasoned flour, then add them to the pastry lined basin with the slices of onion. Add enough cold water to reach almost to the top of the meat and sprinkle in a few drops of worcestershire sauce and another seasoning of salt and freshly milled black pepper.
Roll out the pastry lid, dampen its edges and put it in position on the pudding. Seal well and cover with a double sheet of foil, pleated in the centre to allow room for expansion whilst cooking. Now secure it with a string, making a little handle so that it can be lifted out of the hot steamer.
Then place it in a steamer over boiling water. Steam for 5 hours, topping up the boiling water halfway through.
The pudding may either be served by spooning it straight from the basin, or sliding a palette knife around the edge and turning the pudding out onto a serving dish.