CARROT PLUM PUDDING WITH HARD SAUCE

Steps:

• Combine all dry ingredients in bowl.
• Toss raisins and walnuts into flour mixture.
• Break eggs into a large bowl.
• Beat well.
• Gradually add melted butter, continueing to beat.
• Stir in flour mixture, grated carrots, and grated potatoes.
• Pour into well greased 6 cup pudding mold or large heat-proof bowl.
• Cover tightly with a double layer of foil, securing with a string.
• Place on wire rack in the bottom of a deep pot or canning kettle.
• Add boiling water to the pot until it reaches half way up the side of the mold.
• Steam over low heat for 2 to 2 1/2 hours, until tester inserted into pudding comes out clean and top of pudding is firm to the touch.
• Check water level in pot occasionally, adding more boiling water if needed.
• Remove foil from mold.
• Let pudding rest in pan for 10 minutes before turning out onto a wire rack.
• When completely cool, wrap in foil and store in refrigerator for up to 2 weeks or in freezer.
• If frozen, let thaw before heating.
• To reheat, return pudding to mold, cover and steam for about 1 hour or until heated through.
• Serve warm with hard sauce.
• For hard sauce:.
• Thoroughly Cream butter and sifted confectioners sugar together.
• Add 1-2 teaspoons vanilla (or rum or brandy) and beat well.
• Spread in 8x8" pan and place in refrigerator to harden.
• Cut into small squares to serve on warm slices of the pudding.
• The hard sauce could also be chilled in individual butter molds; or a bowl to be spooned onto the pudding in lumps.
• Note: For a dramatic entrance, just before serving, I soak a few sugar cubes in almond extract. Then I place them together on top the pudding, light them with a match, turn out all the lights, and deliver the flaming pudding to the table (usually accompanied by a Happy Birthday song to Jesus).