What is Spotted Dick?

I have spent many lonely languid nights trolling the isles of the 24 hour grocery store. I have been in, out, up, and around grocery stores; in truth it's surprising that I've never before worked at a grocery store. It would probably spoil the mood. Regardless my wife and I were shocked (shocked) the other day to come upon a canned sponge pudding we'd never before heard of. Spotted Dick.

What is spotted dick you ask? Isn't that what happens when you have unprotected sex? Well we too asked that same question and so it was with some delight that I came upon the website spottedick.net. According to this website, spotted dick is "a popular dessert in the United Kingdom...also known as sponge pudding or spotted dog."

Well I know what sponge pudding is; I've never heard of "spotted dog" (and again; spotted dog brings up a whole other set of far less vile images). Spotted dick is a "steamed suet type pudding," and it is "sweet and often served with custard." According to the eponymous website spotted dick is "similar to a pound cake," the only difference being that it is traditionally steamed.

The reason that this pudding is called "spotted" is that it's preparation includes different types of small fruits, raisins, currants, and sometimes plums. The use of the word "dick" pre-emanates the common American English slang terminology and actually was the cause of some dispute over the last 20 or so years. Different groups demanded the term "dick" be changed and when it was, other groups demanded it be reinstated.

Spotted dick has a fairly basic consistency of eggs, butter, sugar, vanilla, flour, and milk. The raisins used for the spotted part of the name are what is known as golden raisins. While golden raisins obviously have a different older European tradition, the golden raisins we find domestically come from vineyards in California and have a "naturally sweet and fruity flavor."

Folks who typically don't get their cake in a can may be reticent to try spotted dick from the domestic maker we had found it from; HJ Heinz; but apparently the spotted dick is a very tasty cake. The preparation for spotted dick does seem a little confusing; if you're microwaving it you have to scoop the contents out of the can and into a microwave safe dish and then cover the spotted dick with another microwave safe bowl; if you're preparing it in a saucepan; you're supposed to place the can in a couple of pints of water (enough so that it doesn't boil off) and steam the floating can for about 35 minutes.

Spotted dick will be one of those desserts I will have to try soon and let you know how it is.

Sources:

http://spotteddick.net/

http://www.sun-maid.com/en/products/products_golden.html