Grilled Black Pudding Starter Recipe

Some people here in the UK consider black pudding as a “Northern thing” others simply think it's something to have as part of the traditional full English breakfast and to a greater or lesser extent they're both right. In America it's generally referred to as boudin (the same as in French) or blood sausage.

Whatever you call it, black pudding has however undergone something of a renaissance in recent years with many top chef's starting to include it on their menus. To be honest, for me, it never went away.

I love to use it either as an ingredient to bring out the flavors in another dish (great with smoked belly pork) or served in an uncomplicated manner as a starter, and grilled black pudding sure makes a perfect starter. Just add something sweet like a honey mustard dip or caramelized apple, you can also keep it simple and just top it off with some homemade ketchup. I've used the Spanish version (Morcilla) in this traditional dish called Cocido de Montaña and come up with one of the best baked beans recipes that I have ever tasted.

When you buy sliced black pudding it's already cooked so technically you could eat it as it is but the true texture and flavor comes when you grill it just to darken the surface and crisp it up.

I'm lucky enough to have the Bury Black Pudding Company on my doorstep so picking up a stick is really easy but if you want to try some of the “real McCoy” fortunately they have an on-line mail order shop too.

How To Prepare Black Pudding:-

In this instance I've used slices off a stick, slices should be about 1cm or ½ inch thick. Use a sharp knife to nick the skin around the circumference and remove it. After that it's just a matter of oiling your cooking grate to stop anything sticking (or use a teflon bbq mat) and grilling for 5-10 minutes on each side over hot coals.

This is black pudding with my home made ketchup recipe – simple but effective.

Below a great black pudding starter served on a bed of caramelized apple.

To make the apple is really easy, just thinly slice the apple and pop it in a frying pan on a low heat with a knob of butter and a teaspoon of white sugar. The apple will wilt and sweat to produce a light syrup – lovely.

If you fancy something more spicy then try these bites. Cut up the grilled black pudding into cubes and insert a cocktail stick. Thread a ring of red chili onto the cocktail stick and drizzle the tip of a teaspoon of honey into the chili ring.

Now you've tried grilled boudin or grilled black pudding (and hopefully like it), I'd better tell you what's in it. I guess those guys at the Bury Black Pudding Company aren't going to give away their secret recipe but it's essentially a mix of onions, pork fat, oatmeal and pigs blood.

See Also:-

Asparagus And Ham Barbecued
Fennel Grilled Chicken Wings
Devilled Kidneys
Honey Mustard BBQ Sauce
More Great Grilled Appetizers

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