what is a steak-a-lean pudding, found in the book "The Glory Field"?

Question

Possibly ex-slave food Curry Island, South Carolina

Answer 1

Steak a lean Puddings:

These puddings were made all over England, they were nutricious and the ingredients were readily available. In the colonies, they were eaten by slaves in the US as a good source of protein. Usually made with leftover and poor quality inggredients, this updated 18th century recipe is made using good quality steak and red wine which makes for tender beef in a rich gravy.

Ingredients

1 lb suet crust
1 tablespoon flour
1/2 lb rump steak, cut into small thin slices, trimmed of fat;
4 shallots or 1 small onion
1/4 lb mushrooms, sliced
1/4 pint red wine
salt and black pepper to taste

Method

Roll out the suet crust about 3/4 inch thick. Line a 2-pint bowl so that the crust stands up about 1/4 inch above the top. Roll out a circle for the top. Season the flour with salt and pepper and dip the steak pieces in it.

Put half the meat in the bowl, add the shallots or onion and pile on the rest of the steak with the mushrooms on top. Mix the wine with 1/4 pint of water and fill up to within 1/2 inch of the top of the bowl. Moisten the edge of the crust and press the lid on it. Cover with foil and then with a saucer or plate. Stand the bowl in a steamer or a pan of boiling water (the water should come halfway up the sides of the bowl). Cover the pan and simmer for three to four hours, adding a little boiling water as necessary to the pan

Answer 2

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