STEAMED BREAD PUDDING

1 pint bread-crumbs
1 cup cold water
1 cup molasses
1 cup flour
1 cup raisins*, cleaned
1 egg, well beaten
1 teaspoon soda, dissolved in hot water
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon clove
1/2 teaspoon salt

Mix all ingredients together.

Place in 6-cup greased pan or mold. Cover with lid or greased aluminum foil tied on securely with string.

Place covered mold on a trivet. on a saucer, or rack in large pot. Add enough boiling water to come halfway up sides of mold.

Cover pot tightly and bring to boil over high heat. Reduce heat to low and steam pudding, keeping water simmering; add water as necessary.

Steam for about 3 hours or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean (start checking after 2 hours).

Remove mold from pot and cool to lukewarm.

With a knife loosen pudding from mold and turn out on plate. Serve with hard sauce.

*Nuts may be substituted for part of raisins if desired.

If dividing recipe in half, do not divide the egg.