Best Farm Wifes Indian Pudding Recipes

MY BEST AND EASY INDIAN PUDDING

Steps:

• Using a non stick (or heavy bottomed) sauce pan add milk and heat on medium heat until nearly bubbling at the edges and steaming.
• Slowly whisk in the meal and whisk slowly until the meal is suspended in the milk, meaning none hanging out at the bottom of the pot. Continue whisking off and on until it reaches a medium thick hot cereal consistency. Again you *can* walk away and whisk every 5 minutes or so.
• Turn stove to low heat and continue to whisk off and on while it thickens. No need to be afraid. I have left it unattended for over 10 minutes and it will not scorch, lump or stick.
• When it reaches 'thick hot cereal' stage, stir in remaining ingredients. I usually whisk. Mix well to combine evenly.
• Leave pudding on low, stirring/whisking occasionally until thickened a bit more; 10-15 minutes approximately.
• Turn off heat and let the pan sit until it has cooled down half way, then cover with the lid and let it 'set.' Times will vary with setting. Last night it was 15 minutes or so and in 2 hours I could upturn the pan. Refrigerate and reheat gently; I use the microwave for individual servings.
• I used the high end of the cook time and will depend on your corn meal, heat of stove, etc -- I have seen many recipes making this pudding appear scary; stand at stove and never stop whisking the entire time. Fiddley sticks!

INDIAN PUDDING - FROM OLD STURBRIDGE VILLAGE COOKBOOK

Steps:

• 1. Modern Method: Heat milk to boiling point. Add cornmeal and salt and stir well.
• 2. Add molasses and spices, stirring to blend.
• 3. Pour into buttered 2 quart baking dish and add cold milk.
• 4. Bake in a 325° oven for 2 hours. Serve warm.
• 5. Hearth Method: Heat milk in a shallow pottery baking dish on a trivet over coals. Add cornmeal and salt and stir well.
• 6. Remove from heat. Add molasses and spices, stirring to blend.
• 7. Add 1/2 cup cold milk.
• 8. Bake for 4 to 5 hours in a brick oven. (The longer cooking period is necessary because the oven cools as time passes.) If a Dutch oven is used, bake 2 - 2 1/2 hours. (Note: I place my baking dish on a trivet inside my Dutch oven. This allows the hot air inside the oven to circulate all around the dish and to help bake it evenly.) Add fresh coals two or three times during baking. Serve Warm.

OLD FASHIONED NEW ENGLAND INDIAN PUDDING

Steps:

• Scald the milk and butter in a large double boiler. Or heat the milk and butter for 5-6 minutes on high heat in the microwave, until it is boiling, then transfer it to a pot on the stove. Keep hot on medium heat.
• Preheat oven to 250.
• In a separate bowl, mix cornmeal, flour, and salt; stir in molasses. Thin the mixture with about 1/2 cup of scalded milk, a few tablespoons at a time, then gradually add the mixture back to the large pot of scalded milk. Cook, stirring until thickened.
• Temper the eggs by slowly adding a half cup of the hot milk cornmeal mixture to the beaten eggs, whisking constantly.
• Add the egg mixture back in with the hot milk cornmeal mixture, stir to combine.
• Stir in the sugar and spices, until smooth. At this point, if the mixture is clumpy, you can run it through a blender to smooth it out.
• Stir in the raisins (optional).
• Pour into a 2 1/2 quart shallow casserole dish.
• Bake for 2 hours at 250.
• Allow the pudding to cool about an hour to be at its best. It should be reheated to warm temperature if it has been chilled. Serve with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.

FARM WIFE'S INDIAN PUDDING

Steps:

• 1. In a small bowl, combine cornmeal and water. In a large saucepan, scald the milk and add cornmeal mixture, stirring to prevent lumps. Cook over low heat for 20 minutes or until thickened. Add salt, spices, and molasses.
• 2. Pour the mixture into a greased 1-1/2 quart casserole dish. Bake in a preheated 325-degree oven for two hours and 10 minutes.
• 3. Serve while still warm with heavy cream, vanilla ice cream, or a hard sauce.