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Summer Pudding

BY Kevin Lee Jacobs | July 20, 2011 9 Comments

Last updated on December 9th, 2011

TWO THINGS INSPIRED ME TO MAKE SUMMER PUDDING. First, I’d harvested my white currants recently, and wanted to use them in some fascinating way (although you can certainly make the pudding without any currants at all). Next, we’re in the midst of a hellish heatwave here, and this pudding — a cool concoction of fresh fresh fruit and bread — seemed like the most refreshing thing in the world to eat.

I’m pretty sure that Cook’s Illustrated (the source of this recipe) intended Summer Pudding as an elegant evening dessert. But if you want to enjoy it for breakfast, and also as a mid-morning snack, and maybe, just maybe, as a 3:00PM pick-me-up, well…I won’t tell on you if you don’t tell on me.

If your loaf doesn’t unmold properly — mine didn’t — don’t worry. It will still be delicious. Besides, you can always cover any imperfections with whipped cream.


Summer Pudding
adapted from Cook’s Illustrated
Ingredients for one 5″x9″ loaf

2 pints fresh strawberries rinsed, hulled, and sliced
1 pint fresh raspberries
1/2 pint fresh blueberries
1/2 pint fresh blackberries (I substituted white currants here)
3/4 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons lemon juice from 1 lemon
8 slices potato bread (stale), challah, or other good-quality white bread (see note)

Note: To stale your bread, just leave it out overnight. Or, lay out slices on a baking sheet, and heat, in a 200 degree oven, for 20 minutes on each side.

Instructions:
1. Heat strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, and sugar in large nonreactive saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until berries begin to release their juice and sugar has dissolved, about 5 minutes. Off heat, stir in lemon juice; let cool to room temperature.

2. While berries are cooling, spray a 9 x 5-inch loaf pan with vegetable cooking spray. Remove crusts from bread slices and trim them to fit in a single layer in the loaf pan (it will take approximately 2 1/2 slices to form one layer). Line the loaf pan with plastic wrap. Make sure the plastic wrap lies flat against the surface of the loaf pan, leaving no air space.

3. Place the loaf pan on a rimmed cookie sheet and use a slotted spoon to place about 2 cups of fruit into the bottom. Lightly soak enough bread slices for one layer in juice and place on top of fruit. Repeat with two more layers of fruit and bread. Top with remaining juices, cover loosely with plastic wrap, and weight with a second cookie sheet and several heavy cans. Refrigerate pudding for at least 8 and up to 24 hours.

4. Remove weights, cookie sheet, and plastic wrap. To unmold, invert onto serving platter. Lift off loaf pan; remove plastic wrap lining and serve.

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Comments

  1. 1

    Cody says

    July 20, 2011 at 9:24 pm

    Oh my goodness that looks good!!

  2. 2

    Anonymous says

    July 20, 2011 at 9:29 pm

    Kevin, Oh my…what memories this has brought back! My husband's grandmother (from Northern Ireland) made this and called it “Fourth of July Pudding.” I have her recipe and made it once, very similarly to your recipe. Thanks so much!
    Louise

  3. 3

    Kevin Lee Jacobs says

    July 20, 2011 at 11:28 pm

    Cody – it tastes even better than it looks.

    Louise – I wonder what kind of bread your husband's grandmother used. I used potato bread, but suspect it would be even better with brioche!

  4. 4

    Anonymous says

    July 21, 2011 at 12:53 am

    Kevin, I think that she used white bread that she had made. Once I made it with slices of angel food cake, and that was good as well! Brioche sounds wonderful!
    Louise

  5. 5

    LANA says

    July 21, 2011 at 1:14 am

    I've seen Ina make this on Barefoot Contessa. I don't remember what kind of bread she used but hers and yours both look equally delicious. I must try this, it looks so refreshing!

  6. 6

    Kevin Lee Jacobs says

    July 21, 2011 at 10:37 am

    Lana – It's a sweet way to beat the heat.

  7. 7

    Prairiecactus says

    July 21, 2011 at 8:04 pm

    I just happen to have strawberries and blueberries on hand…I will have to run to Great Harvest for bread..I am willing to brave the heat for this! It looks wonderful, cool and refreshing. Thank you!

  8. 8

    Kevin Lee Jacobs says

    July 22, 2011 at 7:21 pm

    Prairiecactus – it is amazingly refreshing. Enjoy!

  9. 9

    キシマアロマランプ クーヴォ says

    April 29, 2014 at 4:16 pm

    The reason nobody is talking over watch and the thing that you ought to create right now.

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