Mince pies are a classic British dessert that are a must-have during the holiday season. These small, sweet treats are made with a filling of raisins, currants, and spices, and are encased in a buttery pastry. The pastry is an essential part of the mince pie and should be flaky, crumbly, and delicious. In this article, we will be sharing a mince pie pastry recipe that is easy to make and yields great results.
Ingredients
For the pastry, you will need:
250g plain flour
125g unsalted butter, chilled and cubed
1 egg yolk
2-3 tbsp cold water
1 tbsp caster sugar
A pinch of salt
For the filling, you will need:
225g of mincemeat
Instructions
1. Preheat your oven to 200°C (180°C fan)/gas mark 6. 2. Place the flour, sugar, and salt in a large mixing bowl and stir together. 3. Add the cubed butter to the bowl and rub it into the flour mixture using your fingertips until it resembles breadcrumbs. 4. Add the egg yolk and water to the bowl and mix together with a knife until the pastry comes together. 5. Turn the pastry out onto a lightly floured surface and knead it briefly until it forms a smooth ball. 6. Roll out the pastry to a thickness of about 3mm and cut out rounds using a pastry cutter. You will need a larger cutter for the base and a smaller one for the lid. 7. Place the larger rounds into a 12-hole muffin tin, making sure to press them into the corners. 8. Add a teaspoon of mincemeat to each of the pastry cases. 9. Place the smaller rounds on top of the mincemeat and press the edges together to seal. 10. Use a sharp knife to make a small slit in the top of each pie to allow steam to escape. 11. Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes or until the pastry is golden brown. 12. Remove the muffin tin from the oven and allow the pies to cool for a few minutes before removing them from the tin.
Nutrition
These mince pies are a treat and should be enjoyed in moderation. One mince pie made using this recipe contains approximately:
Calories: 260
Protein: 2g
Carbohydrates: 31g
Fat: 14g
Saturated fat: 9g
Fiber: 1g
Sugar: 12g
Salt: 0.1g
Tips
Make sure your butter is cold when making the pastry. This will help to create a flaky texture.
Use a pastry cutter to get a neat and even shape for your mince pies.
Don't overfill the pies with mincemeat as this will cause them to burst open during baking.
If you don't have a muffin tin, you can use a shallow baking tray instead.
These pies can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Conclusion
This mince pie pastry recipe is straightforward to make and yields delicious results. The buttery, flaky pastry is the perfect complement to the sweet and spicy mincemeat filling. These mince pies are sure to impress your family and friends during the holiday season. Enjoy!
Mince pies are a traditional Christmas treat that has been enjoyed for centuries. This sweet pastry is filled with a delicious mixture of dried fruits, spices, and brandy. The best mince pies are made with a homemade pastry and freshly made mincemeat. In this article, we will provide you with a step-by-step guide to make the best mince pies recipe.
Ingredients
Pastry:
225g plain flour
110g unsalted butter, chilled and cubed
25g icing sugar
1 egg yolk
2-3 tbsp cold water
Mincemeat:
150g raisins
150g sultanas
150g currants
100g candied peel
100g chopped almonds
1 apple, peeled, cored and grated
1 orange, zest and juice
1 lemon, zest and juice
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground nutmeg
1 tsp ground ginger
125g unsalted butter, melted
200g soft dark brown sugar
100ml brandy
Instructions
Pastry
1. Preheat the oven to 200°C/180°C fan/gas mark 6. 2. Put the flour, butter and icing sugar into a food processor and pulse until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs. 3. Add the egg yolk and water and pulse until the mixture comes together to form a dough. 4. Roll out the pastry on a floured surface to a thickness of 3mm. 5. Cut out circles of pastry using a fluted cutter and place them into a muffin tin. 6. Prick the bases of the pastry with a fork and chill in the fridge for 15 minutes.
Mincemeat
1. Put all the dried fruit, candied peel, almonds, apple, orange and lemon zest into a large mixing bowl. 2. Add the melted butter, brown sugar, brandy, and spices to the bowl and mix until everything is combined. 3. Cover the bowl with cling film and leave to marinate for at least 24 hours.
Assembly
1. Preheat the oven to 200°C/180°C fan/gas mark 6. 2. Spoon the mincemeat mixture into the pastry cases. 3. Roll out the remaining pastry and cut out stars or other shapes to place on top of the mincemeat. 4. Brush the tops of the pies with beaten egg. 5. Bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes or until the pastry is golden brown. 6. Leave to cool for a few minutes before removing from the tin.
Nutrition
These mince pies are a delicious treat but should be enjoyed in moderation. Each pie contains approximately 300 calories, 14g of fat, and 35g of carbohydrates. However, they are also a good source of fiber and contain a range of vitamins and minerals from the dried fruits and spices.
Conclusion
These homemade mince pies are a perfect addition to any Christmas celebration. The combination of the homemade pastry and freshly made mincemeat creates a delicious and indulgent treat that is sure to impress your guests. So why not give this recipe a try and see for yourself why it's the best mince pies recipe out there!
Slow cookers have become an essential appliance in every kitchen. They are easy to use and require minimal effort to prepare a meal. One of the best dishes you can prepare in a slow cooker is mince. This dish is perfect for a cozy evening at home or a busy day when you don't have much time to cook. Here's a recipe for mince in a slow cooker that you'll love.
Ingredients
For this recipe, you'll need the following ingredients:
500g beef mince
1 onion, diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 carrots, diced
2 celery stalks, diced
1 can of diced tomatoes
1 can of tomato paste
1 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon of brown sugar
1 tablespoon of olive oil
1 teaspoon of dried thyme
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Follow these steps to prepare the mince in a slow cooker:
Heat the olive oil in a frying pan over medium-high heat.
Add the onion and garlic and cook until they are soft and fragrant.
Add the beef mince and cook until browned.
Transfer the mince mixture to the slow cooker.
Add the carrots and celery to the slow cooker.
Add the can of diced tomatoes and tomato paste.
Add the Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, dried thyme, salt, and pepper.
Stir everything together until well combined.
Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours.
Serve the mince with your favorite sides, such as mashed potatoes, rice, or pasta.
Nutrition
This mince recipe is delicious and nutritious. It's high in protein and packed with vegetables. Here's a breakdown of the nutrition information per serving:
Calories: 300
Protein: 25g
Carbohydrates: 20g
Fiber: 5g
Fat: 12g
Saturated Fat: 4g
Sodium: 600mg
Sugar: 10g
Tips
Here are some tips to make this mince recipe even better:
Use lean beef mince to reduce the fat content of the dish.
Add more vegetables to the dish, such as mushrooms, zucchini, or bell peppers.
Top the dish with grated cheese, sour cream, or chopped herbs, such as parsley or cilantro.
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
Conclusion
This slow cooker mince recipe is a great option for a quick and easy meal that's packed with flavor and nutrition. It's perfect for busy weeknights or lazy weekends when you don't feel like cooking. Give it a try and enjoy a delicious meal without much effort!