Christmas pudding recipes

BENDIGO’S residential Strategy will be reviewed because of greater than expected growth.

The State Government has announced a grant of $50,000 to carry out the review.

The review is needed because, according to the State Government, 40 per cent of the forecast growth between 2006 and 2031 had already been realised.

Regional Development Parliamentary Secretary Damian Drum made the announcement this morning.

Mr Drum said the Bendigo Residential Strategy Review would deliver greater community and investor certainty, helping the region grow.

“The Bendigo Residential Development Strategy was adopted in 2004 and is currently being audited because of the faster than anticipated growth that has occurred in Bendigo in recent years,” he said.

“Strong residential growth has many flow-on economic benefits and having a clear framework for future development will position Greater Bendigo City Council to undertake more detailed, place-based planning in the future.”

Deputy Premier Peter Ryan said about 40 per cent of the forecast growth between 2006 and 2031 had already been realised.

The Residential Strategy impacts directly on where and how property developments use “infill” parcels of land, range of housing styles and also on housing affordability.

“This project will review the strategy, assess current and estimated land supply and demand and consider various legislative and policy changes,” Mr Ryan said,

“It will also consider the latest demographic data and establish a new strategic framework to guide the long-term residential growth of Greater Bendigo.

“The project will result in a revised residential strategy that will give developers, the community and service providers greater surety and confidence about where land can be developed for residential purposes, and that sufficient land is available to accommodate the City of Greater Bendigo’s future growth.”

Mr Ryan said a contemporary strategic planning framework was essential to the economic development of a large regional centre like Bendigo.

“Clearly identifying future growth options and supporting infrastructure needs will enable the Greater Bendigo City Council and other infrastructure providers to plan their capital works programs well in advance,” he said.

“Identifying long-term growth areas will enable the council and other service authorities to start planning for the delivery of services, thereby minimising the lag time between when residential development occurs and when the services need to be in place.”

Bendigo Weekly | Bendigo Weekly | 18-Nov-2011 11.33am

Ice-cream plum pudding

Serves 8 - 10

Preparation 20 minutes Overnight freezing  

500ml Bulla chocolate ice-cream 

350g Christmas Pudding, chopped 

220g apricots, chopped finely 

Seasonal berries

custard & freshly whipped cream or ice-cream

Place ice-cream in a large bowl and set aside for 15 minutes to soften slightly. Add plum pudding and apricots, and mix to combine. 

Pour into 8 x 1/2 cup dariole moulds.

Place in freezer overnight to set.

To serve, turn puddings out into serving bowls.

Serve with custard, cream or ice-cream topped with berries.

Serve immediately.

Christmas Pudding made Easy

Serves 16  8 slices multigrain bread (crumble including crusts)

 1 cup milk 500g mixed fruit 

2 teaspoons mixed spices 

1/2 cup brandy 3 free-range eggs

3/4 teaspoon McKenzie's bicarb soda 

1/2 cup apple sauce

 1 cup banana - mashed 1 tablespoon

Parisian essence 

1& 1/4 cups plain flour - sifted 

Canola cooking spray

 Custard & cream for serving

Put breadcrumbs in a large mixing bowl, heat milk until hot, then pour over breadcrumbs, stir together until really mushy and bread  has absorbed all the milk.

Add in mixed fruit, spices and brandy, mix together well.

Beat egg whites into mixture well. Mix soda with apple sauce (it will froth) then add to bowl.

Stir in mashed banana and Parisian essence. Fold in flour and mix until all ingredients are well combined. Pour into a 19cm x 9cm pudding steamer that has been sprayed with cooking spray, cover with baking paper then foil, spray lid as well and secure with lid.

Put a saucer turned upside down into big saucepan or boiler, place pudding dish on top of saucer and fill with boiling water until it reaches 3/4 of the way up the steamer.

Steam with the lid on, simmering for 4 hours adding more boiling water as necessary. 

Stand for 20 minutes before turning out.

Serve with custard or brandy sauce and freshly whipped cream.

Easy Plum Pudding

Serves 10 - 12

Prep time 15 minutes

Cooking time 30 minutes, plus refrigeration time

1/4 cup Cadbury cocoa 

4 cups milk 375g Nestle Melts milk 1/2 teaspoon vanilla essence 

1&3/4 cups mixed dried fruit 1 cup pitted dates, roughly chopped 1 cup sultanas 

3/4 cup sugar 

2 tablespoons gelatine, dissolved in 1/3 cup boiling water 

1 cup Bulla thickened cream, whipped 

*strawberries, ice-cream or cream, to serve  

1. Lightly grease a 24cm fluted ring pan with olive oil. Combine the milk, cocoa and chocolate in a saucepan. Bring to the boil and add the vanilla, dried fruit, dates and sugar. Simmer for 5 minutes, then set aside to cool. Stir through the gelatine mixture until combined. Gently fold through the whipped cream. Pour into the greased pan and chill until set- overnight is best. Carefully turn the pudding out onto a serving plate and decorate with seasonal berries, serve with ice-cream and  or freshly whipped cream.