Try this winter warming pudding to warm you up after the storm!

Chocolate and Pear Steamed Pudding
200g unsalted butter, softened
200g caster sugar
4 eggs, beaten
200g self raising flour
60g Cocoa powder
55g dark chocolate, chopped
2 ripe but firm pears, peeled and quartered

Method
1. Grease a 2 litre pudding basin with butter
2. Beat the butter with the sugar till pale and fluffy
3. Gradually add the eggs a little at a time
4. Fold in the flour and cocoa powder, loosening the mixture if needed with a little milk.
5. Add the chopped chocolate
6. Arrange the pears neatly in the bottom of the dish before carefully piling on the sponge mixture
7. Cover with clingfilm and microwave on full power for around 8 minutes. (The sponge can also be steamed for 40minutes if you prefer.)
8. The sponge is cooked when a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean.

Ginger Custard
4 egg yolks
2 TBSP caster sugar
1 TBSP cornflour
1 tsp ground ginger
300ml full fat milk, scalded

Method
1. Mix the yolks with the sugar and add the flour and ginger
2. Gradually add the hot milk and then return the pan to the heat.
3. Stir continuously until the mixture comes to the boil and thickens.
4. Serve with the pear and chocolate steamed pudding