Method
Mincemeat filling
Makes enough for about 5lbs
Method
Makes 9 Pies
English Mincemeat Pies
Pastry
7oz of all purpose flour
2 oz of ground almonds
5 oz of unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
Grated zest of 1 orange
2 oz of white sugar
1 egg yolk
2-3 teaspoons of iced water
Put flour, almonds, orange zest and sugar in a bowl
Add cold butter cubes
Using your fingertips gentle mix butter and flour together with your hands, until butter and flour are mixed through
Add iced water and mix through until you have a dough
Wrap in cling film and rest in the fridge for 30 minutes
Reserve
1lb of apples, cored and chopped into small dice, don't peel
8 oz of shredded beef suet (optional)
12 oz golden raisins
8 oz sultanas
8 oz currants
8 oz whole mixed candied peel, finely chopped
12 oz dark brown sugar
Grated zest and juice of two oranges
Grated zest and juice of two lemons
2 oz sliced almonds
4 teaspoons of ground mixed spice
½ teaspoon of cinnamon
¼ teaspoon of ground nutmeg
6 tablespoons of brandy
Put all ingredients, except the brandy in a large mixing bowl, mix thoroughly
Place a clean cloth over the top and put in a cool place for 12 hours to let the flavors develop
Pre heat oven to 225 F, cover bowl with foil and bake in oven for three hours
Remove from oven allow to cool, if you have used the beef suet the mincemeat will have a lot of fat on top, this is normal
Allow to cool, stirring from time to time
When mincemeat is cold, add brandy and stir again
Mincemeat can be stored in sterilized jars in a cool dark place for up to a year
Building Pies
Pre heat oven to 350F
Roll out dough thinly and with a 3 inch plain cutter, stamp out 18 rounds
Using a 2 ½ inch individual tart moulds, line with butter and flour
Line each pie with the dough
Place a teaspoon of cold mincemeat inside each pie
Brush edge of pie with some egg white
Place remaining 9 rounds of pastry on top and squeeze edges gently to make a seal
Make a ¼ inch slit with knife on top of pie
Brush pies with egg white and sprinkle over a little white sugar
Bake in oven until golden brown approximately 16 to 18 minutes
Remove from oven allow to cool
Remove pies from tart liner
Serve, enjoy
