Clootie Dumpling

DIRECTIONS

• one large square of cotton or linen cloth is needed as a pudding cloth.
• Mix all the ingredients together with enough milk to make a “not too wet mixture”.
• Drop linen cloth in boiling water, using tongs remove and wring out excess moisture.
• Sprinkle the cloth with flour.
• Put the dumpling mixture into the centre of the cloth and tie securely with twine.
• Don’t leave too much room in the cloth or the dumpling will split.
• Place the dumpling into a large saucepan of boiling water and simmer for 3 hours.
• Make sure the water level is topped up with more hot water to about half way up the side.
• The dumpling should be covered with water.
• It is a good idea to use a heat-proof plate in the bottom of the pot to keep the dumpling off the pot base.
• When ready, put dumpling on a wooden breadboard and carefully remove cloth.
• Put plate on top and turn over.
• Put in a warm oven for 10 minutes.
• Turn dumpling onto a clean plate and put into oven for a further 10 minutes.
• Note: Double the amount requires four hours' boiling.