Signs of a poor recipe?

A pale pudding? Unless it's steamed in a cloth it's a sign of a poor or "light" recipe (or, not steamed for long enough).
A recipe that has a large helping of Allspice? A sign of an incorrectly converted english recipe.
Claims of a large amount of expansion? Usually a sign of too much rising agent.
Less than 12 ingredients? It means some ingredients have been omitted, so has the taste!
Less that 5 hours of steaming? It's a quick pudding, no time for the flavours to blend.
Large amounts of Jar type fruits? They already contains preservatives, why bother.
The word "microwave"? It's not a Christmas pudding, no matter what anyone says.
If it doesn't need to rest at least 8 hours before it's cooked, it's lacking the breadcrumbs that give the pudding it's light texture.
BROWN or dark brown sugar not specified? Pudding will lack the necessary molasses flavour.
Claims the same mixture can be used as a cake or pudding... oh, please!
Instructions to use a food processor to chop the fruit... you'll end up with a dull brown mass.
Any suggestion you use gravy browning or cocoa powder as an ingredient.
Margarine as an ingredient? it has so many chemicals, AND melts at a low tempreture, your pudding will be quite stodgy.