INDIVIDUAL SUMMER PUDDINGS

Ingredients.......100gm of castor sugar, 500ml of water, 875gm of mixed berries, 14 slices of white bread, crusts removed. This is a great alternative to serve as a Christmas dessert especially for those who are not fans of dried fruit puddings. You will need 4 medium sized ramequins. Combine the sugar and water in a saucepan. Cook stirring over a low heat until sugar dissolves and slowly bring to the boil. Reduce heat and add the mixed berries. Simmer for 5 minutes. Drain, reserving the liquid, set aside and cool. Cut out 8 circles of bread. Line 4 ramequins with a circle of bread. Cut the remaining bread into fingers to line the sides of the ramequins. Spoon the fruit into the lined ramequins and cover with the remaining circles of bread. Spoon the remaining liquid to moisten the bread in each ramequin. Cover the ramequins with aluminium foil and top with a weight. Refrigerate the puddings overnight. To serve.... you can dress the ramequins with strawberries and fresh basil leaves, or you turn the puddings out onto a serving plate along with cream and or custard.