Queen of Puddings

Ingredients

225ml full cream milk
225ml double cream
½ tsp vanilla extract
110g caster sugar
5 large egg yolks
140g fresh breadcrumbs
Zest of 2 unwaxed lemons
225g of either jam, fruit preserve, or fruit compote

Meringue

5 egg free range whites, at room temperature
110g caster sugar
1 tbsp icing sugar

Method

Preheat the oven to 160°C/ 310°F/ Gas 2. Lightly butter a 2 litre / 3½ pint ovenproof dish.
Place the milk, cream and vanilla extract into a saucepan and slowly bring to a gentle boil.

In a roomy bowl, whisk the sugar with the egg yolks until light and fluffy. Still whisking, slowly add the warmed milk and cream to the egg mixture taking care not to splash. Finally add the breadcrumbs and the lemon zest.

Place the jam or chosen fruit into the bottom of the greased pudding dish then pour in the egg and breadcrumb mixture; you can leave the jam out and use it later in the recipe if you choose.

Bake the pudding in the preheated oven for 15 - 20 mins or until the mixture is risen and almost set but still slightly wobbly. Remove the pudding from the oven and leave on one side to cool.

Raise the oven to 190°C

Meringue

In a large, clean roomy baking bowl, whisk the egg whites until stiff peaks are formed.

Whisk in the sugar one tbsp at a time. If you haven't used your fruit filling in the base of the pudding, warm it gently in a microwave or warmed through in a pan and spread it carefully over the cooled base then cover with a thick layer of meringue.

Sprinkle liberally with the icing sugar, place in the hot oven and bake for 10 minutes or until the surface is crisp and lightly browned.

Serve immediately.