Healthy Christmas Pudding Recipe

During the festive season it can be very difficult to avoid temptation, especially when it comes to dessert at Christmas dinner. This recipe only takes 5 minutes to make and doesn’t make you feel bloated like the traditional versions of Christmas pudding. It’s gluten free and there is no added sugar or fats as the dried fruit adds sweetness and moisture. The almond meal contains protein, vitamin E and good mono-unsaturated oils which are anti-inflammatory to the body.  Christmas pudding that is good for your health? Who’d have thought! You will need:

• 225g fresh pitted dates
• Zest from 1 orange
• 250g organic dried apricots, chopped
• 150g almond meal/ ground almonds
• 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste or extract
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
• 80g white chocolate, melted for decoration (optional)

Method:

1. In a food processor, combine dates, orange zest, apricots, vanilla, ground almonds, cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger until the mixture is combined and looks like fine crumbs.
2. Spoon the mixture into a large bowl and add 1-2 tablespoons of orange juice and then mix again. Your pudding mix should come together in the hands when lightly squeezed.
3. Divide the mixture into 6 small puddings. The best way to do this is to line the base of your desired mould with glad wrap and press the pudding mixture into it firmly.
4. Invert the pudding and remove the glad wrap and repeat the process until all the Christmas puddings are formed.
5. Melt the chocolate in a small bowl that is set over a simmering pot of water.
6. Spoon a little white chocolate over the tops of the puddings. You can use fresh cherries or berries you fancy, or you don’t have to put anything on top at all.
7. Store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

*You do not need to bake these Christmas puddings! If you liked this recipe, check out thehealthychef.com for similar meals and treats to this one: https://thehealthychef.com/blogs/Recipes/healthy-christmas-pudding   If you enjoyed this article, here are some similar ones on the The Slimming Clinic blog that you may enjoy: Healthy Pumpkin and Ginger soup recipe6 weeks to go