i want to make mince pies but [whispers] i haven't made any mincemeat

[SheherazadetheGoat]

can you make mincemeat and then just use it, i have a mental block about the whole sterilising jars things.

or can i get some supermarket stuff - recommendations please.

buy some from the shop and add a splash of brandy, will be fine.

which shop stuff is good?

Buy some and add splosh of brandy, some orange zest and a grated apple.

sainsbury one is very good!

I think the effort of making pastry is more than enough, do people actually make their own mincemeat as well? This never occurred to me.

Will try putting some brandy in the ready made stuff, though, sounds yummy.

thanks will head off ot sainsburys!

I bought the only Minemeat Tesco had and added a splash of brandy, for me what makes a mince pie is the pastry i add ground almonds ans grated orange zest and a pnch of salt to my normal sweet pastry recipe and it tastes marvelous!

that sounds delicious, charlee.

I haven't made any mincemeat either. Anybody know which one is better, M&S or Tesco? (I live in Prague, and those are the two options). I had a look at the M&S one but it looked a bit stodgy.

I'm also thinking I might make mini apple pies (with cinnamon and raisins in) instead. With Charlee's pastry (thanks!).

here it is Enjoy!

dd2 and I are about to 'make' mince pies using store bought pastry and mincemeat in a jar!

will still be tasty though, and some icing sugar to dust with yum yum

i have made mincemeat but can't be bothered to do pies now.

[whispers back] Go and buy some then.

dare I mention that Nigella made some on telly last night: she just threw a load of dried cranberries, fresh cranberries, raisins and other ingredients in a pan with some port I think it was and heated it all up - she didn't bother with suet - then she just let it cool a bit, mashed it with some honey and spooned it all in to the cases.

It seemed lighter and more like a fruit tart than a traditional mincemeat ...

Here it is:

PS she used cooled fresh orange juice to make the pastry instead of water which I thought was a good tip

If you're still interested in making the mincemeat, I can heartily recommend this one. I made it a few weeks ago, but I don't really know why I made it in advance.

I'm not in the UK either, and finding suet is a real problem, so this recipe is a godsend. I made my pies yesterday, and they are delicious, if I do say so myself!

I've just made Nigella's mince pies from last night and they are divine. Boozy, and very delicious. Hope some of them make it to the freezer ...

I'll just try that link again

www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/database/cranberrystuddedminc_90619.shtml

thanks for the link, Charlee!

I've just made kipferl with ground hazelnuts in (& covered in icing sugar...)

The mincemeat recipes look good too.