help nedded for school project

[Carol]

bboyminn:
> 
> I think it would be incredibly, maybe even hysterically, funny for a
kid to make 'Spotted Dick' which is a fruit filled desert usually
covered with custard. 
> 
> Here is a recipe that shows that it is merely a cake-like desert
filled with (spots) fruit like raisins. <snip>

Carol responds:

Well, yes, but I can just imagine the reaction of a teacher unfamiliar
with this particular dessert (or the HP books). And, of course, the
students would have to be carefully prepared for the name or
pandemonium might result. A plausible etymology (the "puddink" one
will do) would be essential, IMO. But, then, I don't have what one of
your sites referred to as a first-grade-potty-mouth sense of humor.

Another problem, aside from the fairly lengthy cooking and preparation
time: I'm sure that the kids could find out what "caster sugar" is
(I've forgotten--is it the same as powdered sugar?) but where are
American students going to find suet, "vegetable suet" or otherwise?
In this country, we generally use shortening, which is not the same
thing--and can't be cut into squares, as I believe one of the recipes
requires.) 

Just as Americans in general are more concerned than Europeans with
body hair, dentistry, and modern plumbing, it seems that we're also
more cholesterol-conscious. My mother used to use bacon grease for
frying potatoes and pancakes (tasted delicious, BTW), but once she
became concerned about clogged arteries and other consequences of
eating animal fat, she stopped using it. (The only thing I've ever
used animal fat for is gravy.)

bboy:
> Keep in mind that you can also get 'Heinz Spotted Dick' in a can,
and it is available in the USA through various on-line retailers of
British Foods.
<snip>

Carol:
That sounds ghastly! And, besides, it would defeat the purpose of the
assignment, which is to find British recipes ("receipts" to the
British, IIRC) that the kids can prepare themselves. 

Carol, imagining a bunch of fourth-graders having tea and crumpets
followed by Yorkshire pudding and wondering whether they're supposed
to prepare the recipes at home or bring them to school for a potluck