Did you know that the original pudding was formed by mixing various ingredients with a grain product or other binder such as butter, flour, cereal, eggs, suet, resulting in a solid mass. These puddings were baked, steamed or boiled. Depending on its ingredients such a pudding may be served as a part of the main course or as a dessert.
Boiled pudding was a common main course aboard ships in the Royal Navy in the 18th and 19th centuries. Pudding was also used as the primary dish in which daily rations of flour and suet were prepared.
2 cups milk
1 tablespoon corn starch
1/3 cup sugar
1 large egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon lemon extract
Pinch of salt
1. Heat the milk in a double boiler.
2. Mix the corn starch and sugar and add to the milk, stirring constantly to prevent the formation of lumps. Continue stirring until the corn starch has thickened and then cook for about 15 minutes longer.
3. Beat the egg, add it to the mixture, and cook for a few minutes longer.
4. Add the vanilla, lemon, and salt.
5. Serve hot or cold.