REQUEST NUMBER: PUDDING AND CAT

I received a special New Year’s request from Rahel, a Bloggy-Buddy of long standing who writes over at Elms in the Yard.

“Now bring us some figgy pudding... and some pics of Hakuna!”

Rahel being a fellow ailurophile, it’s no surprise she would like to see a few shots of Her Hakunaness. On the other hand, a request for Figgy Pudding is a bit unusual coming from Israel. Nevertheless, never let it be said that Elisson does not try to please his Esteemed Readers.

First, the Figgy Pudding. Most of us are familiar with the old Christmas carol:

We wish you a Merry Christmas
We wish you a Merry Christmas
We wish you a Merry Christmas
And a Happy New Year

Good tidings we bring
To you and your kin
We wish you a Merry Christmas
And a Happy New Year

Oh, bring us a figgy pudding
Oh, bring us a figgy pudding
Oh, bring us a figgy pudding
And a cup of good cheer

We won’t go until we get some
We won’t go until we get some
We won’t go until we get some
So bring it right here

We wish you a Merry Christmas
We wish you a Merry Christmas
We wish you a Merry Christmas
And a Happy New Year

What is this Figgy Pudding, a treat so desirable that it causes carolers to threaten their listeners with an eternity of caroling and Doorstep-Encampment should it be withheld? It’s nothing more or less than Plum Pudding, AKA Christmas Pudding, a traditional British dish made with flour, suet, and dried fruits - a treat about which I have written previously.

We had a Figgy Pudding just a couple of weeks ago, at the Third Annual Aubrey-Maturin Dinner hosted by Houston Steve and Yours Truly. Flambéed with cognac and served with lashings of crème Anglaise (i.e., vanilla-flavored custard sauce), it was both spectacular and delicious.

Here it is, right out of the steaming basin:



Looks kinda like an Ebonite bowling ball.

Now we apply the flaming brandy:



Presto! Figgy Pudding!

And now, Hakuna... who couldn’t give a rat’s ass about figgy pudding:



Here’s another. (Rahel asked for “some pics,” not “one pic.”)



Remember: Elisson delivers, baby!

Update: Friday Ark #277 is afloat at the Modulator. Want more cats? Go visit iMeowza Sunday evening for the latest installment of Carnival of the Cats.