Bacon and Onion Pud

[nightowl]

My OH talks nostalgically (and frequently) about his Gran's Bacon and Onion Suet Roll. I know a hint when I hear one but need a couple of questions answered please...

> Do you fry the bacon and/or onions before rolling them up in the suet dough? Surely if you don't the bacon will be a bit rubbery
> Recipes I've looked at talk about boiling for 2 or 3 hours!!! Do they really take that long??? Dumplings cook in only about 20 minutes and it won't be huge - it'll only be for 2 of us.
> Can this sort of pud be cooked in a steamer, rather than a pan on the hob?
> Or a Microwave???

All tips/recipes gratefully received

[bagpuss]

Oh you've taken me back to when I was younger. My mum used to make this. From memory, I don't think you need to cook the bacon first as it gets cut up into small pieces (but I may be wrong). When my Mum made it, I think it was based on a recipe for spotted dick, but with bacon and onion in, instead of fruit. They do take some time to cook, but it really is worth it (although it isn't very healthy!)

You might be able to cook it in a steamer, as when you do it in a pan, it is supposed to be steamed rather than boiled.

I hope this helps, and if you do make it I hope you enjoy it.

[Missredhead]

Let us know how it turned out NO please

[nightowl]

Thanks Bagpuss I will let you know how it goes. Must get a steamer first - been meaning to for ages....

[Shrubrose]

nolawn said:

Thanks Bagpuss I will let you know how it goes. Must get a steamer first - been meaning to for ages....

Hi NO, you might not need to go to the expense of a steamer if you've got a metal colander. I place the colander in a pan, suspended by its handles and put the lid of the pan over the colander. It does work, honest. Although I did eventually get a steamer quite cheaply - an enamelled one for about £7.00.

[isabella]

Hello nightowl - I sometimes make Bacon and onion/leek pudding - not very often as it isn't at all healthy!

I line a small pudding basin with about 3/4 of the suet pastry,chop the onion finely and bacon into small pieces and put into the pastry. Season.Add a couple of tablespoons of water. Make a lid with the last 1/4 of pastry and put on top.
Cover with greaseproof paper and a piece of foil and tie with string- don't forget to make a pleat in the paper and foil to allow for the pudding rising a bit.
I stand the basin on an upside down plate in a large pan.The water should always be about 1/2 way up the basin while it is cooking.It will need to steam for a good 2-3 hours.

[nightowl]

I've done loads of suety-type things in the steamer now. A great success My bacon and onion roll pud cooks in about an hour (using pre-cooked bacon and onions. Must let filling cool down first!!!!! )

Fave is quick steak pud with tin of stewed steak in a basin, covered with a round of dumpling mix, covered with foil andsteamed for about 20-30 mins depending on thickness of top. Yummy!

[Shrubrose]

Oh that sounds suspiciously like, what they call up these parts, a rag pudding!

[nightowl]

I just call it quick and easy Shrub! I couldn't buy stewing steak and cook it as tender as that for less than a £1

PS - I am no Cordon Blue cook - you may have guessed!

[farmersboy]

My mum done bacon and onion pud,in a cloth,im sure