Use 350g of this mixture to match this quantity of pastry
Pastry / Crust
225g plain flour
50g icing sugar
150g butter / margarine
1 egg yolk
1 tbsp ice cold water
1/2 tsp lemon juice
Method Mince Meat 1. Grate the apples. Weight and measure everything into a large bowl. Mix together really well. Cover overnight to allow the flavours to develop.
2. Preheat the oven to 120?. Spread out the mixture on an oven proof dish, cover loosely with foil and bake for 3 hours. Indulge all your senses in the delicious smells as it cooks. Stir occasionally. 3. When complete, allow to cool and sterilise jars. 4. To sterilise some old glass jam jars, turn the oven up 180? or gas mark 4 . Wash the jars in warm soapy water. Rinse them very well, dry thoroughly and place them in the oven for 5 minutes. 5. When the minced meat is cooled, place the mixture in the jars, seal tight and place in the pantry for a few weeks until ready to use.
Sweet Rich Pastry 1. Sieve the flour and icing sugar together. Place 1/2 the flour mixture in a mixing bowl, together with the stork and beaten egg mixture. Cream with a fork until well mixed. 2. Add the remaining flour and mix to a firm dough. 3. Knead lightly until smooth. Place in cling film and allow to chill for an hour.
To Prepare the mince pies 1. Grease a 12-hole muffin tin really well. 4. Roll out 2/3rds of the pastry. Using a cutter, cut rounds a little larger than the tins. 5. Line the tins with these rounds. Spoon in the minced meat mixture. Dampen the edges. 6. Roll out the remaining pastry and cut out lids on top. Press down well to seal. Pinch the edges as you go. Paint with some whisked egg and sprinkle with a little sugar. 7. Bake for 25-35minutes until golden brown.
To Reheat Never reheat in a microwave. It must be the oven. Place the mince pies on a tray and bake for 10 minutes. Sprinkle with icing sugar to serve.
Other uses for mince meat • Mince pie porridge - bircher muesli • Apple and Mincemeat Crumble Cake. - basic bun/maderia mixture and stir in chunks of apples and dollops of mince meat and top with a little brown sugar crumble • Dark chocolate and mincemeat muffins with a cinnamon crumble • Mince pie swirls • Freezing - yes best to freeze them unbaked. Pop in an airtight container and freeze for up to three months. Bake from frozen for about 25 minutes or until piping hot in the middle.
