Rhubarb Strawberry Summer Pudding

Summer puddings are excellent hot weather desserts because they do not require baking.

• Ready In: 15 mins
• Serves: 6

Ingredients

• 3⁄4 lb rhubarb, trimmed and cut into 1/4 inch pieces (3 cups)
• 3  cups strawberries, hulled and quartered
• 1  cup sugar
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons  grated lemons, zest of
• 21  slices  thin-sliced  white bread, crusts trimmed (such as Pepperidge Farm)
•  red currants or  strawberries or  mint leaf (to garnish)

Directions

1. In medium sized saucepan, stir together rhubarb, strawberries, sugar and lemon zest.
2. Bring to a simmer, cover and cook over low heat for 3 minutes.
3. Set aside.
4. For each of six 3/4 cup capacity ramekins or custard cups, cut a circle of bread the same diameter as the bottom of the ramekin.
5. Place a bread circle in the bottom of each ramekin.
6. Cut 9 slices of the bread in half lengthwise and fit the strips horizontally around the inside of each ramekin, using 2 1/2 or 3 strips for each one and trimming to fit.
7. Spoon about 1/3 cup of the rhubarb mixture into each of the lined ramekins, filling them to the top.
8. Cut circles from the remaining bread slices to fit the tops of the ramekins; place over the fruit.
9. Wrap each pudding in plastic and set three of them on a plate.
10. Stack the other three puddings on top of them.
11. Set something small, round and heavy on top of each pudding stack to weigh it down.
12. Refrigerate overnight.
13. To serve, remove weights and unwrap the ramekins.
14. Run a small knife around the inside edge of each one and invert onto dessert plates.
15. Garnish with red currants, strawberries or mint.
16. Serves 6.
17. 170 calories per serving.
18. Eating Well.