Frozen Christmas Plum Pudding

Ingredients

 * 4 	cup	Dried fruits (mixed) finely chopped
 * 1 	tbsp	orange rind, grated
 * 2 	tbsp	cocoa
 * 1/2 	cup	brandy or masala
 * 2 	tbsp	gelatine
 * 1 	tbsp	water, boiling
 * 1 	gal	ice cream, vanilla slightly softened but not melted

Directions

 * 1) Combine fruit, spice, orange rind, cocoa and brandy in a large saucepan.
 * 2) Over medium heat, bring almost to a boil, stirring occasionally.
 * 3) Cool, stirring occasionally.
 * 4) Mix gelatine and boiling water; simmer in a small pan for a few seconds, until evenly melted.
 * 5) Blend into fruit, chill.
 * 6) Fold the fruit into the softened ice cream, blending evenly.
 * 7) Pack into foil lined bowl, cover with foil and freeze overnight or longer.
 * 8) To serve, unmould onto a serving plate, cut into wedges and serve with cinnamon-flavoured whipped cream.
 * Notes:
 * A southern-hemisphere christmas plum pudding - in the southern hemisphere they have a summer Christmas so they have adapted some of the more traditional festive fare to local conditions.
 * Here is one example: it is very easy, and it can be made up to a week ahead of using.
 * Yield: serves 8-10.
 * The original recipe called for the use of a microwave to do the heating and cooking.
 * This works well for melting the gelatine but is a bit of a nuisance otherwise.
 * Difficulty: easy to moderate (timing matters).
 * Time: 15 minutes preparation, overnight freezing.
 * Precision: approximate measurement ok.