Splendid Christmas pies
20/12/2004
At last, Dr Molan has the answer! A scientist who has turned his mind to one of the great mysteries of the universe - how to make a really great Christmas mince pie. You may know Peter Molan as the honey man - the Waikato University professor of biochemistry who identified the extraordinary healing qualities of Manuka honey. Makes 12.
Fruit Mince
| 750 g | Raisins |
| 500 g | Currants |
| 1 kg | Brown sugar |
| 120 g | Almonds |
| 4 | Apples, peeled, seeded and grated |
| 2 | Oranges, grated rind only |
| 2 | Lemons, grated rind only |
| 6 tsp | Cinnamon |
| 1 tsp | Ground cloves |
| 2 tsp | Ground nutmeg |
| 1 tsp | Almond essence |
| 2 Tbsp | Sherry |
Sweet shortcrust pastry
| 21 g | Plain flour |
| 1 tsp | Baking powder, rounded |
| 2 Tbsp | Sugar, heaped |
| 125 g | Butter |
| 1 | Egg, beaten |
Directions
Fruit mince
- Chop the raisins and in a large bowl add the remaining ingredients. Mix together well.
- Use straight away, or put in jars. If mixture is on the dry side, add a touch more sherry.
Christmas pies
- Preheat oven to 220C.
- Using a food processor on high, mix together the flour, baking powder and sugar.
- Add the butter and run processor until the mixture is like very fine breadcrumbs, and starting to stick together.
- Remove from processor and add the egg. Chop this in gently with a knife.
- When egg is evenly mixed in, gently squeeze the dough together. With as little handling as possible, roll dough out.
- Cut out rounds with a 7.5cm fluted cutter and then with a 5.5cm cutter. Line oiled pie tray with large rounds, fill with mincemeat.
- Damp edges of small rounds and place on top. Make a slit in each one.
- Bake for around 10 to 15 minutes until golden brown and smelling good. Place on a rack to cool. Dust lightly with icing sugar and share.
Comments
Annette
added 587 days agoSeems to be missing the party measurements!
Jess_Food_Hub
added 585 days agoYou're right, the pastry ingredients were missing. Updated for you now! Happy Christmas baking
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