Gregg’s Favourite Puddings

Written by (Gregg Wallace)

How many times have we heard Master Chef’s Gregg Wallace tell us he’s a pudding man? Countless times! It should come as no surprise therefore that Mr Wallace has released a book entirely dedicated to desserts: Gregg’s Favourite Puddings.

Michel Roux Jr is quoted on the cover saying: “*Gregg is the best possible judge of a good pudding*”. High praise indeed. The book is full of stunning photography; page upon page of sauces drizzling down the sides of sponges, and of untouched slices of cake just waiting to be devoured. Indeed, once you've opened up Gregg’s book and taken a look, you’ll want to race home, whip out your best spatula, and not leave the kitchen until you’ve run out of flour.

Gregg’s Favourite Puddings is thoroughly unpretentious, and covers all manner of classics. There are British favourites such as Bakewell Tart, Christmas Pudding, and Banoffi Pie; there are traditional favourites from abroad such as Black Forest Gateau, Panna Cotta, and Crème Brûlée. There is an entire section on “ices and mousses”, another on “tarts, flans, and cheesecakes”. And Gregg clearly knows how to please his readers, also including a sizeable section on chocolate, filled with tarts and cakes and gateaux, and the oh-so-temptingly named Devil’s Chocolate Food Cake.

Gregg keeps it simple for the most part with puddings we’d all be capable of making. However there’s chapter at the back on “basics and bites”, with recipes for sweet treats that will liven up an otherwise simple dish. All the things we might usually buy in the supermarket can be made into a recipes here. Whether it’s custard for your jam sponge, or brandy butter for your Christmas pud’, or butter cream for your cupcakes, you’ll never need to buy it again.

This book doesn’t give two hoots about calorie counting, cholesterol, or whatever the latest diet fashion is. It is page after page of sheer indulgence. It's clearly laid out with pictures illustrating a lot of the recipes, and a very comprehensive index. You’ll never need to look elsewhere for a pudding recipes.

Gregg’s Favourite Puddings is priced at £17.99.

**Reviewed by: **Emily Boyd