THE tradition that every member of the Allen household could have a wish that was likely (note, never a firm promise) to come true, was, of course, a ruse to get all the children to help with heavy work of stirring the pudding.

We ate this gorgeous tart in a little restaurant, near Castellini in Chianti.

Every Saturday during November there is a ‘Fruit Clinic’ from 11am to 4pm at the Country Choice Shop where you can discuss anything about raisins, sultanas and currants. For people baking their first Christmas cake take your list for the best guidance and advice about exact quantities of fruit. www.countrychoice.ie

Recipe for Coffee Sabaudo.

It has always been the tradition in our house to eat the first plum pudding on the evening it is made. As children we could hardly contain ourselves with excitement — somehow that pudding seemed all the more delicious because it was our first taste of Christmas.

Makes 3.2 kilograms approx.

This makes a moist cake which keeps very well. I have a passion for almond icing, so I ‘ice’ the cake with almond icing and decorate it with heart shapes made from the almond paste. Then I brush it with beaten egg yolk and toast it in the oven — simply delicious!

Serves 6 – 8

Janet Pilfold and Olive Brennan of Blue Geranium Café at the Hosford Garden Centre near Bandon in west Cork made this cake for the Flavours of Ireland event in London, certainly one of the highlights.

Allotments: Demand for allotments is growing apace. Many are over-subscribed but some farmers on the edge of larger towns are beginning to offer allotments to rent.