peachyclair - was it you whose parents were conducting a mammoth mince pie taste-off

[Tutter]

if so, what were their conclusions?

they're one of a handful of things i can face atm but have been v disappointed by the ones i've tried (waitrose [too little filling], duchy origs [crumbly pastry, a little bland])

.

.

(terribly important stuff, this )

Yes

So far they like-

OMG

Lidl best of

They will be sampling riverford this weekend though.

They don't like thick eggy pastry; for that they recommend Asda Extra Special.

But they say any of the Lidl ones for filling

tutter make your own!

SO much nicer

cd you forget i am a lazy feck

peachy - unfortunately it's way too posh round here for lidls

will await their next tasting with trepidation

Oh Mum and dad make their own too, its just mince pies are a staple food to them LOL- much like bread or cereal to more, well, normal people.

At least they haven't yet put together the Chrsitmas grotto (AKA their living room) we won't see the ceiling for ages once that goes up

My aprents are much like little Christmas Elves, as far as I remember its been their main hobby

ps cd - you're a sahm now aren't you - loads of time on your hands - if yours are so good i'll give you a good price

would have to get baking fast though - am moving next week

i like my MN anonymity so there'd have to be some shady pie drop-off process

ahem

I make my own, working or not

I LOVE cooking

I love cooking Dh doesn't though, due to my smaller love of cleaning up after myself

Can rather see his point LOL

Tutter, take CD's advice. It really is quite pathetically easy. You can even involve your children in the actual pie-making part (I don't think I'd trust mine with all that rum in the mincemeat) and that way it doubles as messy play.

LOL at the seemingly prevalent idea yet again that making your own makes you erm better (sorry but this is MY thread And I'm being possesive LOL)

Mum and dad made plenty of their own BTW- all in gluten free pastry with home made mindemeat as most of the bought ones contain stuff my DS cannot eat. And if anyone fancies messy play with my three I would welcome the break- oh yes you can't let ds1 near rolling pins or knives as he thinks theya re weapons- and ds3 can't actually talk or understand what you're saying but you know- DS2 will love it...

And yes, I do have PMT

so please allow me my moment and just smile knowlinglt at this post. many thanks

Please, Peachy, I never said making your own mince pies would make you a better person. Just one with nicer mince pies to eat, that's all .

And it's so lovely looking at a big bowl of dried fruit soaking in a bath of alcohol, and stirring it daily. One of those simple pleasures in life

Maybe you could make some with ginger wine to help with the PMT?

sainsburys ones with little crystalised sugar bits on the top are the best (might be their classic range)

or the M&S deep filled ones mmmmm

I'm sure this must be the third year I have contributed to a mince pie thread on mumsnet

p.s. tutter, was it you saying there are no large supermarkets in SW London. There are loads! Where are you and I'll point you in the right direction if you want one?

Tutter - Lidl is lovely for loads of stuff. My parents are quite posh - although a bit on their uppers these days - and swear by it!

But I do agree that making your own is good and easy. If you feel ever so lazy you can buy mincemeat and tart it up with more booze, spices etc.

There is a Lidl in Feltham, right next to the station which is a short train ride from any or all of Richmond, Twickenham, Hounslow, Isleworth, Kew Bridge, Chiswick, Barnes, Barnes Bridge, etc., etc.

I find chopped bramleys and pears tarts bought mincemeat up a treat LOL

Hallgerda, seriously I was taking the piss out of myself! And I don't do any wine- well not after the carnival bash last week, no more alcohol for me

I think its great to make your own, I also think its fab to grab a nice box with the shopping to have with a coffee on your return just coz you feel like it.

was only teasing about lidl

but not sure i would make a train journey to get to one, lemonaid

in my next life i shall be a domestic goddess - until then, keep the recommendations coming...!

OH FOR FUCK'S SAKE I WAS NOT SAYING IT MADE ME A BETTER PERSON BUT THAT THEY TASTE NICER WHICH IS SO FUCKING OBVIOUS IT'S UNTRUE

You can't type ANYTHING in this fucking place at the moment without some tosser jumping down your throat

(and I don't have PMT but I AM sick of this shit)

I don't have PMT, but I do make very nice mince tarts.....

tarts???

we are talking about PIES not TARTS ffs

daddy cool did this last year

I think he came to the conclusion that waitrose ro m and s mini ones were the bolleaux

the duchy ones are grimola

I make these little tarts, yes...tarts!