Sticky Date and Walnut Pudding Recipe

On a cold winter day, nothing could be more welcoming than a pudding full of dates and toasted walnuts. It is easy to make and has a lovely moist texture. A tangy pineapple and marmalade sauce makes a perfect accompaniment for this sticky date and walnut pudding.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup dried pitted dates, chopped
  • 4 tablespoons low-fat milk
  • 1⁄2 cup reduced-salt margarine
  • 1⁄2 cup brown sugar
  • 2 eggs, lightly beaten
  • 1 cup self-raising flour
  • 1⁄4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1⁄2 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1⁄2 cup walnuts, toasted and roughly chopped

Pineapple and Marmalade Sauce

  • 1 can (398 ml) pineapple pieces in natural juice, finely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon arrowroot
  • 5 tablespoons fine-cut orange marmalade

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Lightly grease a 1 litre (1 quart) pudding basin lined with a disc of parchment paper.

2. Place the dates in a bowl and pour over 2 tablespoons milk. Stir to coat, then leave to soak.

3. Place the margarine, sugar, eggs and remaining milk in a bowl. Sift over the flour, cinnamon and ginger, and beat with an electric mixer for 2 minutes or until smooth. Fold in the soaked dates and walnuts.

4. Spoon the mixture into the pudding basin. Set the basin in a baking pan and pour in boiling water to come 1 cm up the sides of the basin. Cover the pan and basin with a tent of foil.

5. Bake for about 1 hour or until the pudding is lightly risen and a skewer comes out clean. If not, bake a further 10 minutes.

6. Meanwhile, make the sauce. Drain the pineapple, reserving 2⁄3 cup of the juice. Blend the arrowroot with a little of the juice in a small saucepan, then stir in the remaining juice. Bring to a boil and simmer for 1 minute or until thickened and clear. Stir the pineapple and marmalade into the sauce and simmer for a further 2–3 minutes, stirring occasionally.

7. Turn the sticky date and walnut pudding onto a serving plate. Spoon a little sauce over and serve with the remaining sauce in a bowl.

Preparation time 25 mins

Cooking time 1 hour

Serves 8

Nutritional information PER SERVING

  • 382 calories
  • 6 g protein
  • 16 g total fat
  • 2 g saturated fat
  • 54 mg cholesterol
  • 55 g total carbohydrate
  • 42 g sugars
  • 4 g fibre
  • 199 mg sodium

Walnuts have a high unsaturated fat content, particularly as linoleic acid. Some studies have suggested that regularly including a small quantity of walnuts in the diet can help to reduce high blood cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart attacks.

Source: Cook Smart for a Healthy Heart, Reader’s Digest Canada

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