8 foods that are set on fire before they are served

• There are some dishes that are commonly set on fire (or flambêed) before they are served. 
• From fruity desserts to hunks of meat, a splash of liquor and a flame can add an extra layer of flavor to a dish.
• In many cases, these dishes are flambêed has part of a special, table-side presentation. 
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Although it requires a few safety measures, lighting food on fire could be one of the absolute most exciting ways to cook it. 

Using the French-named flambé technique, chefs douse a dish with liquor and then briefly set it alight. Although the liquor taste generally burns off of the dish, it often leaves behind a subtle hint of flavor and golden caramelization.

Here are some dishes that are commonly set ablaze before they're served. 

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Cherries Jubilee was supposedly served at a celebration for Queen Victoria’s reign as monarch.

This fruity dish is said to have been created by Auguste Escoffier, a French chef. Supposedly he presented the cherry-based dessert at one of Queen Victoria's celebratory jubilees.

There have been mixed reports about whether or not this dessert was served at Queen Victoria's golden jubilee (celebrating her 50th year as monarch) or her diamond jubilee (celebrating her 60th year as monarch).

The simple dessert is made by simmering cherries with sugar, water, and butter. Then, it is covered with bourbon or brandy and flambeéd table-side. The dish is often served with vanilla ice cream and sometimes it's used as a topping for cakes.

Flaming shrimp is an easy, yet impressive, dish to make.

Also called shrimp flambé, this dish cooks as the alcohol burns off of the shrimp. Depending on the recipe, it can be made spicy or with a Cajun flair. It is usually flambéed with a bit of cognac, bourbon, or brandy.  

Christmas pudding, also known as figgy pudding, is served with a fiery presentation.

Typically consisting of dried fruit and suet (made from the fat surrounding animal kidneys), this pudding is usually coated in a brandy or cognac sauce and set ablaze before it's served.

You might recognize figgy pudding from when it was the fiery centerpiece of Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" or you may be familiar with its mention in the lyrics of the classic holiday song, "We Wish You A Merry Christmas."

Although the ingredients used to make this pudding may vary, it's still common for this English dish to be served at Christmastime.