Recipe for Clootie Dumpling

Clootie dumpling unwrapped

A Doric alternative to May's Dumpling Recipe

punna self-raisin' floour
punna currants an' a haunfa o' raisins
quanera punna suet
haufa punna granulatit sugar
fower wee teaspoonsfa o' mixed spice
a big pincha saut
some mulk

• Rummle up the hale jing-bang in the boul, addin' a wee tate mulk so's ye get a dough that's stiff an' no' runny.
• Tim some bilin' watter oot the kettle inty the fit o' the basin an' spread the cloath (or cloot) oan tap o' the watter.
• Cowp the hale o' yur dough oot the boul an' oan tae the cloot in the basin.
• Draw the coarnurs o' the cloot the gither an' tie wi' the string.
• Don't tie the string too tight or the dumplin' might burst efter swellin up an' ye'll be in a helluva mess.
• Noo ye've a big bag o' dough aboot the size o' a fitba'.
• Nixt ye pit a plate in the fit o' the big poat. Then gently ye lower the dumplin' oan tae the plate.
• Efter that poor as much bilin' watter inty the poat as will cover yur dumplin'.
• Efter a' this cairry-oan ye'll mibbe waant a cuppa tea an' a fag. or even a wee lie-doon.
• Anyway, whitivvur ye dae, dinny let the dumplin' simmer fur mair than three-an'-a-hauf oors.
• Efter that time wheech it oot the poat an' oan tae a plate.
• Peel aff the cloot an' therr ye huv a dish fit tae set afore a dizzen Egon Thingmys.