step 1
Put the water, fruit, fat and sugar in a large pan and slowly heat until all the sugar and fat has dissolved - Tip: you are only melting not cooking so don't let it get too hot..
step 2
Sieve the next five ingredients into a large bowl and mix well to ensure an even spread of the spices.
step 3
Add warm wet ingredients into the bowl of dry ingredients and add the two beaten eggs and mix well.
step 4
Put into suitably sized microwaveable dish lined with cling film, but do not cover over the top with the cling film. I use a glass mixing bowl as the cooking dish to get a nice pudding shape. Place in microwave (timings for 900w) adjust timing for lower or higher power microwave
step 5
Once cooked turn out onto a plate and remove cling film. Allow to cool. This can be sliced up and frozen in handy portions. It's great re-heated and then dry fried to get a tasty crust on it...
step 6
The Scottish dish Clootie Dumpling is the basis for this updated recipe and they eat a slice of this dumpling with a cooked breakfast - naughty but delicious