Recipe for the Rotorua royal lunch steamed pudding

The Duke and Duchess had a chance to see the steam boxes outside the wharekai at Te Papaiouru Marae. Photo / Ben Fraser

A popular dessert often served as part of a Te Arawa hangi, is a steamed pudding and the royal couple had a demonstration of how it is made.

The Duke and Duchess had a chance to see the steam boxes outside the wharekai and in the kitchen, Rene Mitchell who "runs the marae" gave them a sneak peek at the before and after.

"I had all the ingredients ready so I showed them that and then the finished product," Mitchell said.

As she pulled off the tea towel to show them the finished product they thought it was "wonderful", she said.

"They said especially with it being cooked using the thermal it was really interesting."

Mitchell learned how to make the steamed pudding from her mum and aunty who grew up on the marae.

"In the old days we used to make everything ourselves and it was very simple.

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"Over time people have added to it."

As the couple left she said haere mai and welcomed them to Rotorua.

"It's been a really wonderful experience today," Rene Mitchell said.

Harry gave her a hongi and kissed her friend Margaret Jenkins, who also helped in the kitchen, on the cheek.

Here's a recipe for the royal lunch steamed pudding

Ingredients
1 generous cup of sugar
150g butter
4tbsp jam or golden syrup
2 cups of milk
1tsp baking soda
3 cups self-raising flour

Method
1. Melt the butter, sugar and jam or golden syrup and stir together
2. Warm the milk and add baking soda
3. Pour the milk and baking soda mixture into the other wet ingredients and stir
4. Sieve the flour into a bowl
5. Pour all the wet ingredients into the flour and give it a good stir
6. Pour into a greased tin and steam for at least 2 to 3 hours