[Lara Croft]

Hi!

I haven't experienced a Kiwi Christmas yet, and wondered if the shops sell Mince Pies? Or mincemeat (to make my own)?

I have several recipes for mincemeat, so I might just make a batch anyway...

We are unlikely to want a traditional UK-style Christmas dinner, but mince pies are pretty fab all year round, and as good in summer as winter!

J

[mylesdw]

Yes, they do.

[Carol]

Yes you can buy it - but it is AWFUL!

By far the best mincemeat I've EVER had (made) is Nigella Lawson's suetless recipe......in "How to be a Domestic Goddess"
It is fabulous!
I'm starting mine off "stewing" in brandy this week actually!
:nice1

[Moorf]

Mince pies can be bought just about anywhere round here... in fact, isn't it about time they started stocking supermarkets with Xmas stuff, I mean, there's only about 20 weeks until Xmas? :D

[Carol]

lol
20 weeks eh?
Good job most of my Christmas pressies got bought at the weekend...


:nice1:D

*sat here smug*

[JandM]

:uhohShutupshutupshutupshutup.....:mad:

[Carol]

Ok


:D

[Kerry and David]

It's fast approaching, David's new job is in retail and they wanted him on board by the end of August ready for the Xmas campaign.:exit
I tried making mince pies last year the face my hubbie pulled when he tasted one was a picture - perhaps someone could post a recipe for me to try :)

[James 1077]

I heard some "book now for your Christmas party" ads on the radio this morning.

I almost threw the radio out of the window in disgust!

:exit

[wilson182]

They have xmas cards in our local post shop.........

[peebles16]

Mince pies, devil food - yuck :(

I too have bought a fair few crimbo pressies already - that's what happens when you don't have a job you just shop instead :laugh

Karenx

[wilson182]

Karen - there is some casual work going at the council if you are interested.

[peebles16]

Oh yes Debs - I'll PM you :)

Karenx

[Carol]

They have xmas cards in our local post shop.........

Probably for posting early abroad....
:nice1

[Georgebulldog]

Yes you can buy it - but it is AWFUL!

By far the best mincemeat I've EVER had (made) is Nigella Lawson's suetless recipe......in "How to be a Domestic Goddess"
It is fabulous!
I'm starting mine off "stewing" in brandy this week actually!
:nice1

How difficult is it, I mean faffing about & is it too long to post on here? I love home made mince pies but can't stand the falseness of bought ones, that's one thing Mr Kipling can't make (imo) :D

[gil]

we had some nice bought ones from Bakers Delight last year :yes

[KerryS]

Yes you can buy it - but it is AWFUL!

By far the best mincemeat I've EVER had (made) is Nigella Lawson's suetless recipe......in "How to be a Domestic Goddess"
It is fabulous!
I'm starting mine off "stewing" in brandy this week actually!
:nice1


That's the one I use too. It's yum.
I still have a couple of jars from earlier in the year when we did Midwinter Christmas, nd keep having to resist eating it.

[Lara Croft]

Hi everyone, thanks for your input.

I have the Nigella recipe at home, and will post it for you tonight (if I remember once I get in from work...)

Looks like I'm definately making a batch for us!

J

[Georgebulldog]

Hi everyone, thanks for your input.

I have the Nigella recipe at home, and will post it for you tonight (if I remember once I get in from work...)

Looks like I'm definately making a batch for us!

J

Thanks would love to have a good one :clap

[kanatakiwi]

to put us all out of our misery.......:clap:clap

by the way, my personal favourite mincemeat recipe involves lots of green tomatoes, but sadly that only seems to work in the northern hemisphere where the green tomatoes coincide with the approaching holiday season...

G

Hettie Potter’s suet-free mincemeat

Source: How To Be A Domestic Goddess by Nigella Lawson

Makes about 2kg

250g soft dark brown sugar
250ml medium dry cider
1 kg cooking apples, peeled, halved and quartered
1/2 teaspoon mixed spice
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
250g currants
250g raisins
75g glace cherries, roughly chopped
75g blanched almonds,
finely chopped rind and juice of 1/2 lemon
6 tablespoons brandy or rum

In a large saucepan, dissolve the sugar in the cider over a gentle heat. Add the roughly chopped apples to the saucepan. Add all the ingredients, apart from brandy/rum and simmer for around 30 minutes until everything has a pulpy consistency. Take off the heat and when it has cooled slightly stir in brandy/rum.

Store in sterilised jars with tightly fitting lids.

[Steadybears]

Thanks so much for the recipe - am definately going to get mine made as my Mum is coming out and can get her making them for us.... diet out the window again!!!

[Debbie]

Thanks for that. Question for those of you who have made it before; How well does it store? and do you need to put in the fridge?

Debbie

[Carol]

I had it in my pantry for about 6 months.... It actually got better!
It was fine - didnt need to be kept chilled.

[Georgebulldog]

Yes you can buy it - but it is AWFUL!

By far the best mincemeat I've EVER had (made) is Nigella Lawson's suetless recipe......in "How to be a Domestic Goddess"
It is fabulous!
I'm starting mine off "stewing" in brandy this week actually!
:nice1

So Carol when you say "I'm starting mine off "stewing" in brandy this week actually" do you make the entire lot now ?

Thanks kanatakiwi for posting, I just love home made ones :clap

[Carol]

So Carol when you say "I'm starting mine off "stewing" in brandy this week actually" do you make the entire lot now ?


I usually do a couple of big jarfuls of it Lindsey .... but it never lasts till Christmas haha

[Georgebulldog]

I usually do a couple of big jarfuls of it Lindsey .... but it never lasts till Christmas haha

Sorry what I meant was the entire mixture or just the brandy & fruit bit? Silly question maybe but not the best at cooking :D

Sounds like I may have to make a taster batch first :laugh

[Carol]

Sorry what I meant was the entire mixture or just the brandy & fruit bit? Silly question maybe but not the best at cooking :D

Sounds like I may have to make a taster batch first :laugh


oh i see!
hahahaha
ummmmm I've forgotton.
lol *aging moment*
All of it I think...

[Georgebulldog]

oh i see!
hahahaha
ummmmm I've forgotton.
lol *aging moment*
All of it I think...

aging moment or too much testing the brandy for the pies :laugh

Thanks Carol

[Carol]

aging moment or too much testing the brandy for the pies

Thanks Carol
:laugh:laugh

ssshpshphhh lol

[barryp]

I find the Christmas mince tarts from Pandoro to be delicious, far and away beyond what's generally available here in Wgtn. I believe they make the filling months in advance, something I'm not willing to do simply because there would be none left by Christmastime. I doubt it'd last a week, in fact....