How do I serve the Luxury Christmas Pudding w/brandy I purchased from Harrods last year?

The label says it will be good until 2009 (I'm hoping it is still good). I'm planning on serving it at Christmas this year. I'm from the US and have never had one.





We intended to eat it last Christmas, but didn't know how to serve it. The label says to steam it a couple hours.





Do most people serve it with a sauce or not?





Any suggestions will be most appreciated.|||Turn the pudding out onto a large plate and flame with brandy (a quick tip is to warm the brandy slightly before pouring over the pudding)


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Brandy Butter





175g (6oz) unsalted butter


175g (6oz) soft dark brown sugar


6 tablespoons of brandy





1. Beat the butter and sugar together until soft and creamy. Then gradually add the brandy to the mixture, ensuring that after each addition you beat the mixture well. This prevents the butter curdling.





2. Place the mixture into a covered container and chill for at least an hour before serving.





3. The Brandy butter will keep for up to two weeks in the refrigerator, so it can be made well ahead of Christmas Day.|||Of course its ok they last for years





Make or buy some brandy sauce





Cook it as instructed - some but not all can be microwaved





Get some cognac and warm it up just before serving





Turn the lights down low





When its on the table pour your warm cognac over it and set fire to it but don't overdo it or you will need a fire extinguiher!





If you don't warm the cognac enough it won't light up





Happy Christmas|||Steam the pudding as per the instructions and serve it with a brandy sauce or flame it with brandy and serve it with a white sauce. Or flame it with brandy and serve it with custard. Or forget the pudding and drink the brandy. Merry Christmas.|||Many people steam their puddings for hours, but I always just microwave mine - just as good.


Heat - pour over warm brandy and light when coming to the table.


Serve with pouring cream, custard or brandy butter.


Enjoy!|||Serve with custard, fresh cream or brandy butter. Or all three. And yes you must steam it for two hours otherwise it is inedible.|||You have everything you need right there. Serve it in good health.|||Take off all the packaging and place in a heat proof bowl. Place inside a pan of simmering water for 2 hours. Remember to keep the water level up to at least half of your bowl. If the water does need topping up use pre boiled water. You can serve the pud with a ready made sauce if you cannot manage to make your own. Or you could serve with cream to which you have added your favourite spirit. Usually Brandy or Whiskey. Enjoy your pud.|||like the other guy said - on a plate, unless you're american, in which case just use your fingers!|||Just stick it on a plate.


And don't forget to tell everyone where you bought it.