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mince meat

  • :: Mini Mince Pies!

    :: Mini Mince Pies!

    I do have to apologise for having two mince pie related posts within the last few days but today is the day for posting our "Great Big Pie Bake Off" recipes and I baked these fab mini pies over the weekend!

    I managed to book some time with my little cousin Maisie who has become very busy since the release of the book- she features in the dessert section with her fab cupcakes! She is also playing the angel in the Howth church nativity play so as you can imagine her schedule is fairly hectic for a 9 year old! :)

    You can check out more details about "The Great Big Pie Bake Off" over here. Make sure to check out everyone else's fab Christmas themed pies! Plus keep checking back there, we'll be announcing the next pie theme very soon!

    Mini Mince Pies

    Mince pies are a traditionally British festive sweet pastry which are very delicious. They are pretty popular here in Ireland but I'm not sure if they are seen in many other countries across the world, maybe you can tell me! The "mince meat" consists of apples, raisins, sultanas, currants, mixed peel and a mix of Christmas spices, so as you can see there is no real meat involved!

    Makes 20 mini mince pies
    170g flour
    1 teaspoon of cinnamon
    100g cold butter, cut into small chunks
    1 tablespoon of caster sugar
    1 egg yolk
    2 tablespoons of water
    420g jar of mince meat
    1 egg
    fluted circular cookie cutter
    star cookie cutter

    Place the flour and cinnamon in a mixing bowl.
    Add the butter and rub in using your finger tips until you have a rough breadcrumb like mixture. Don't worry it will come together!
    Add the sugar and the egg yolk and mix through with a spoon.
    Add the water slowly until a dough comes together.
    Form a ball with your hands, cover in cling film and place in the fridge to chill for at least 10 minutes.
    Preheat the oven to 180oC/Gas Mark 5.
    Roll the pastry dough out to about half a centimetre in thickness and cut out 20 circles and 20 stars. You may need to gather the scraps and re roll the pastry to get enough cases.
    Oil a mini muffin tray and fill with the pastry circles.
    Fill each mini pie with the mincemeat and top with the pastry stars.
    Whisk the egg and brush each mini pie with it.
    Bake in the oven for approximately 15 minutes or until the pastry turns golden brown.
    Serve straight away or save some for Santa, word has it there his favourite snack!

  • :: Christmas Mince Pie Star Slices

    :: Christmas Mince Pie Star Slices

    The blog and book got a great mention in today's Irish Independent LoveFood magazine. This recipe was used and I have been saving it especially until the piece was published! So here to get you in the Christmas spirit, is my Christmas Mince Pie Star Slices!

    Christmas Mince Pie Star Slices

    These mince pie slices are a wonderful alternative to the traditional mince pie. Use your own mince meat recipe here if you have one, if not most supermarkets stock handy jars of the stuff!

    Serves 4-6
    For the pastry:
    170g flour
    1 teaspoon of cinnamon
    100g cold butter, cut into small chunks
    1 tablespoon of caster sugar
    1 egg yolk
    2 tablespoons of water

    For the filling:
    420g jar of mince meat
    1 large cooking apple, peeled and cored
    A sprinkle of brown sugar

    Place the flour and cinnamon in a mixing bowl.
    Add the butter and rub in using your finger tips until you have a rough breadcrumb like mixture. Don't worry it will come together!
    Add the sugar and the egg yolk and mix through with a spoon.
    Add the water slowly until a dough comes together.
    Form a ball with your hands, cover in cling film and place in the fridge to chill for at least 10 minutes.
    Preheat the oven to 200oC/Gas Mark 6.
    Chop the apple into small rough slices and combine in a bowl with the mince meat.
    Roll the pastry dough out to about half a centimetre in thickness and line a fluted tart tin with it. Make sure to cut out little stars from the pastry to decorate with later!
    Prick the base with a fork and fill with baking paper and ceramic baking beans. Place in the oven and blind bake for 10 minutes, remove the paper and beans and bake for a further 5 minutes.
    Fill the pastry base with the apple and mincemeat mixture and top with the pastry stars and a sprinkle of brown sugar.
    Bake in the oven for approximately 15 minutes or until the pastry turns golden brown.
    Serve cut into slices with a drizzle of cream!