How to soak fruits for Christmas Black Rum Cake. (Stewed, Boiled Fruits)

Racquel’s Caribbean Cuisine
22 Nov 202204:46

TLDRIn this video, Raquel shares a simplified method for preparing fruits for a Christmas food cake. Instead of the traditional months-long soaking in rum and wine, she demonstrates how to stew the fruits with spices like cinnamon and vanilla essence in boiling water. After two hours of cooking, the fruits are infused with flavor and can be stored with the addition of rum and cherry brandy for later use in baking. This approach offers a quicker alternative while maintaining the cake's traditional taste.

Takeaways

  • 😋 The video demonstrates a method for preparing fruits for Christmas food cake.
  • 🍒 Fruits are boiled or stewed with spices such as bay leaves, cinnamon sticks, and mixed spice.
  • 🥃 Alcohol like rum and Cherry Brandy is traditionally used to soak the fruits, but it's added after cooking and cooling.
  • ⏰ Boiling the fruits allows them to absorb flavors more quickly than soaking alone.
  • 👩‍🍳 The process involves cooking the fruits for about two hours until they absorb the liquid and spices.
  • 📦 Once cooked, the fruits are stored in containers until ready to bake.
  • 🍷 Additional alcohol can be added to the stored fruits to maintain moisture before baking.
  • 🎄 The method recommends stewing or boiling the fruits first, then soaking them.
  • 💬 Viewers are encouraged to try the method and share their feedback in the comment section.
  • 👍 Overall, the presenter hopes viewers enjoy the video and find the method useful for making Christmas food cake.

Q & A

  • What is the main topic of the video?

    -The main topic of the video is how to boil or stew fruits to make Christmas food cake.

  • How long are fruits typically soaked in rum and wine for a traditional Christmas food cake?

    -Traditionally, fruits are soaked in rum and wine for months.

  • What is the alternative method presented in the video for preparing the fruits if soaking for months is not possible?

    -The alternative method presented is to stew the fruits in a pot of boiling water with spices and then use them the very next day.

  • What spices are used in the stewing process?

    -Bay leaves, cinnamon sticks, and mixed spice are used in the stewing process.

  • How much of each fruit is used in the recipe?

    -The recipe uses one pound of currants, one pound of raisins, and one pound of chopped prunes.

  • Can additional fruits be added to the recipe?

    -Yes, additional fruits such as mixed peel or other preferred fruits can be added.

  • Why isn't alcohol added to the fruits during the stewing process?

    -Alcohol is not added during the stewing process because heat will cause it to evaporate; it is added after the fruits are cooked and cooled down.

  • How long are the fruits cooked for?

    -The fruits are cooked for about two hours.

  • What happens to the fruits after they have been cooked and cooled?

    -After being cooked and cooled, the fruits are transferred to a container and then rum and Cherry Brandy are added for storage until baking.

  • What is the final step before baking the Christmas food cake?

    -The final step before baking is to ensure there is enough liquid in the container with the fruits, adding as much wine or brandy as desired.

  • What is the main benefit of boiling the fruits compared to soaking?

    -Boiling the fruits allows them to absorb all the flavors more effectively, which enhances the taste of the Christmas food cake.

Outlines

00:00

🍰 Preparing Fruits for Christmas Food Cake

This paragraph introduces Raquel, who shares a recipe for preparing fruits traditionally used in Christmas food cake. Normally, fruits are soaked in rum and wine for months, but this alternative method allows for quicker preparation. Raquel explains that fruits are boiled with bay leaves and cinnamon sticks to release their flavors, then added in specific quantities - one pound each of currants, raisins, and chopped prunes, along with cherries and other preferred fruits. Mixed spice is also added, but no alcohol is included at this stage as it will be added later when the mixture has cooled. The fruits are then cooked for about two hours, during which they absorb the liquid and flavors. The final product is a rich, spiced fruit mixture ready for baking.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Caribbean cuisine

Caribbean cuisine refers to the diverse and unique culinary traditions of the Caribbean region, which includes a blend of flavors and cooking techniques from African, Indian, European, and Indigenous influences. In the context of the video, Caribbean cuisine is the cultural backdrop against which the preparation of the Christmas food cake is set, highlighting the fusion of various culinary heritages in the creation of a traditional dish.

💡Christmas food cake

A Christmas food cake is a type of rich, dense cake traditionally made and enjoyed during the holiday season, particularly in the UK and Commonwealth countries. It is characterized by the use of dried fruits, spices, and sometimes alcohol, which are combined to create a distinctive flavor profile. In the video, the Christmas food cake is the focal point, with the host demonstrating an alternative method for preparing the fruits used in the cake, which is a crucial component of the recipe.

💡Soaking fruits

Soaking fruits is a process of immersing dried or fresh fruits in a liquid, such as rum, wine, or water, to enhance their flavor and soften their texture. In the context of the video, soaking fruits is a traditional method for preparing them for a Christmas food cake. However, the host introduces a quicker alternative by boiling and stewing the fruits, which allows for immediate use without the need for a long soaking period.

💡Bay leaves

Bay leaves are aromatic leaves from the Laurel tree, used in cooking to impart a subtle, sweet, and slightly bitter flavor to dishes. They are commonly used in soups, stews, and sauces. In the video, bay leaves are added to the pot of boiling water to flavor the fruits for the Christmas food cake, demonstrating the use of herbs and spices in Caribbean cooking to enhance the taste and aroma of dishes.

💡Cinnamon sticks

Cinnamon sticks are the dried, rolled bark of the cinnamon tree, which is a popular spice known for its warm, sweet, and slightly spicy flavor. They are used in a variety of cuisines around the world, particularly in baking, desserts, and savory dishes. In the video, cinnamon sticks are used to flavor the fruits for the Christmas food cake, illustrating the importance of spices in Caribbean cooking and the role they play in defining the taste of traditional dishes.

💡Currant

Currants are small, dried fruits that come from the Ribes genus of flowering plants, typically used in baking and cooking for their sweet, tangy flavor. They are a key ingredient in many traditional recipes, including Christmas food cakes. In the video, one pound of currants is used, highlighting the significance of dried fruits in the preparation of festive cakes and the role they play in providing texture and flavor.

💡Raisins

Raisins are dried grapes that are commonly used in cooking and baking for their natural sweetness and chewy texture. They are a staple ingredient in many traditional recipes, including fruitcakes and stews. In the context of the video, one pound of raisins is added to the pot of boiling water with other fruits, emphasizing the importance of a variety of dried fruits in creating the complex flavor profile of the Christmas food cake.

💡Prunes

Prunes are dried plums that are often used in cooking and baking for their natural sweetness and slightly tart flavor. They contribute to the texture and taste of dishes, particularly in fruit-based recipes like fruitcakes. In the video, chopped prunes are included in the mixture of fruits being stewed for the Christmas food cake, illustrating the use of prunes to add depth and variety to the flavors of traditional baked goods.

💡Cherries

Cherries are small, round fruits with a sweet and slightly tart taste, often used in both sweet and savory dishes. They can be used fresh or dried and are a popular ingredient in many traditional recipes, including fruitcakes and baked goods. In the video, cherries are mentioned as one of the optional fruits that can be added to the stewed fruit mixture for the Christmas food cake, showcasing the versatility and customization possible in traditional recipes.

💡Mixed spice

Mixed spice is a blend of various ground spices, typically including cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and cloves, among others. It is widely used in baking and cooking to add warmth and depth of flavor to dishes. In the video, mixed spice is used to season the stewed fruits for the Christmas food cake, demonstrating the importance of combining multiple spices to create a rich and complex flavor profile.

💡Vanilla Essence

Vanilla Essence, or vanilla extract, is a concentrated liquid made from vanilla beans, known for its distinct, sweet, and aromatic flavor. It is commonly used in baking and cooking to add a rich, creamy note to desserts and other dishes. In the context of the video, vanilla essence is added to the stewed fruits to contribute to the overall flavor and aroma of the Christmas food cake, emphasizing the use of natural flavorings to enhance traditional recipes.

💡Rum and Cherry Brandy

Rum and Cherry Brandy are alcoholic beverages that are often used in cooking and baking to add depth of flavor and a subtle alcoholic note to dishes. In the video, these are mentioned as ingredients to be added to the stewed fruits after they have been cooked and cooled, illustrating the traditional practice of incorporating alcohol into the preparation of Christmas food cake to enhance its taste and preservation qualities.

Highlights

Raquel introduces a method for preparing Christmas food cake without the traditional months-long soaking of fruits in rum and wine.

The recipe demonstrates an alternative way to stew fruits for immediate use, without the need for a long soak.

Fruits are boiled with bay leaves and cinnamon sticks to release their flavors into the water.

One pound each of currants, raisins, and chopped prunes are used, along with cherries and optional mixed peel.

Mixed spice, cinnamon, and vanilla essence are added to the stewing fruits for enhanced flavor.

No alcohol is added during the cooking process; it is to be added after the fruits are cooked and cooled.

The fruits are cooked on low heat for approximately two hours, allowing them to absorb the liquid and flavors.

During cooking, additional liquid may be added to ensure the fruits are fully soaked.

The cooked fruits are cooled and then stored in a container, with rum and Cherry Brandy added before use.

The method of boiling and then soaking the fruits is emphasized as an effective way to infuse them with flavor.

Raquel suggests transferring the fruits to a larger container for storage, allowing for the addition of more liquid as needed.

The video encourages viewers to try this method of fruit preparation for their Christmas food cake.

Raquel expresses a desire for viewers to share their thoughts on the method in the comment section.

The video concludes with a thank you for watching and an invitation to engage with the content.

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