John Bates
Charlie Callahan
injaynesworld
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Greg
Last night the Radio 5 phone-in show had a discussion about Christmas. I didn’t really pay attention to a lot of it because I was reading a book (Hannibal Rising) but one caller did catch my attention. Some odd bod came on singing the praises of supermarket mince pies, and even went as far as saying that making your own was pretentious and middle class. This man – for it was a man – obviously has no taste buds, because supermarket mince pies are really quite unpleasant. Especially the pastry – that is always clammy and vile. Making your own mince pies is a matter of common sense, it has nothing do with class, or pretension. Plus, it really doesn’t take that much time.
* Simply make some pastry using about 8oz of flour, 4oz of margarine, and some milk – you can adjust those quantities, I’m never particularly precise about amounts and tend to bung stuff into the bowl until it seems right.
* Then roll the pastry out and using a cup cut out lots of little circles – you need an even number.
* Place half your circles into the indents in a baking tray and fill with a couple of spoons of mincemeat. I like the jazzed up stuff from a chain store advertised by Twiggy, but the cheap and cheerful variety works just as well. Brush a little beaten egg around the edges of the circles and give each a lid.
* Brush a bit more beaten egg on to the top of each pie and sprinkle on some ground ginger. You can also use nutmeg.
* Bake for 20 – 25 minutes or until light golden brown.
* Sit down and enjoy a nice glass of wine.
Serving suggestions (’cause you have to have some):
- Eat with cream
- Eat with custard
- Eat with brandy butter – but only if you like food that smells of paint.
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Anna
/ November 21, 2007Agreed about supermarket mince pies! Yuk! Far too sweet and awful pastry.
I do add a little sugar to my pastry when I make them though, and also use a star-shaped bit of pastry for the top because it looks pretty.
Sharon J
/ November 22, 2007Nobody in my house likes mince pies so haven’t made any for yonks. I might just make a small batch this year though, now that you’ve got my taste buds working overtime
Laney
/ November 22, 2007I totally agree with you, shop bought ones suck, and I always pass on them at work when they do the rounds.
Reading your post I got a really strong flashback/memory of making them with my nan in her tiny kitchen as a child. It made me smile.
Kate
/ November 27, 2007Anna: I haven’t tried making star shaped lids – I bet they do look pretty. I did do a lattice thing once, but it took ages and the mincemeat leaked out
Sharon: Yes, you go for it! Make those mince pies
No one in my house likes Christmas pudding – all the more for me LOL
Laney: It’s funny, but I often think of my gran when I’m baking at Christmas. She used to make pretty much everything herself, and I loved sitting in the kitchen surrounded by all the wonderful aromas.
Laney
/ May 22, 2009I totally agree with you, shop bought ones suck, and I always pass on them at work when they do the rounds.
Reading your post I got a really strong flashback/memory of making them with my nan in her tiny kitchen as a child. It made me smile.