3) If shop bought, what ones have you tried so far?
Yummee
Both, usually prefer shop bought, but we saw a recipe on TV with Loraine Pascal starfish shaped ones, which the old trout took a bash at. They were very good so we've had to buy more Puff Pastry!
Prefer the cheaper pies without too much messing about (ie lattice, weird fruits, odd flavourings or so much alcohol that it needs to burn off first like at an oil refinery) after very careful comparative research the winner was Waitrose Essential.
I cant fucking stand her
I wasn't bigging her up ( as I believe the youngsters say) just the pies!.
3) If shop bought, what ones have you tried so far?
Yummee
Both, usually prefer shop bought, but we saw a recipe on TV with Loraine Pascal starfish shaped ones, which the old trout took a bash at. They were very good so we've had to buy more Puff Pastry!
Prefer the cheaper pies without too much messing about (ie lattice, weird fruits, odd flavourings or so much alcohol that it needs to burn off first like at an oil refinery) after very careful comparative research the winner was Waitrose Essential.
I cant fucking stand her
I wasn't bigging her up ( as I believe the youngsters say) just the pies!.
1 - love em 2- shop 3 - trying to work through the options on the high street, Coop ones are good, Starbucks a winner, Costa do a good one, and about to move on to John Lewis No1 next. Thankfully running a lot so burning them off
Ambivalent towards 'em. Wife loves them but do have a rule that none should be eaten before December or you are sick of them before Christmas arrives.
Shop bought but have missed out on people bringing their own into the office this year of course. We have had 'rate my plate' of mince pies competitions in the past. What fun.
Currently on Sainsbury Taste The Difference which seem fine but no better than average.
Love them. Always short crust, best heated up in the oven and served with cream, but happy to eat them cold while I'm working. Tescos finest with brandy, cognac and rum have been this year's staple - they've been doing boxes of 12 mini ones for a pound, or six regular sized ones (where the pastry/mincemeat ratio is better).
Was eating Waitrose essential ones last year and they too are very good. Have tried the odd flavours, and recently found half a box of aldi black forest mince pies left over from last year, which says a lot about what I thought of those. When it comes to mince pies, best left traditional.
Forgot to add for those that make their own, can you post your recipe please, I’ve never tried cooking them but will have a go!
Made my own for the first time this year. Packet of shortcrust pastry and jar of mincemeat. Ready in 20 minutes. No way I'm making my own pastry. Co-op ones are a good alternative.
Love em prefer them large, short crust pastry and the filling laced with large amounts of brandy
The best ever examples of above were produced by Sheratons patisserie a long gone much missed central London cafe/sandwich bar/bakers
Either that or homemade puff pastry ones made in the artisan style (ie mince just chucked in the pie and leaking out once cooked and then covered in icing sugar
Must be eaten on the hot side of warm on xmas morning with a glass of champagne
Lass just mad 36 which should keep me going a couple of days. Shortcrust pastry and Waitrose mincemeat, improved with a little homemade brandy butter popped inside
I only eat shop-bought ones if I'm at someone's house.
At home, I make my own. I use mincemeat from a jar but add extra ingredients such as chopped nuts and other dried fruits depending on what I have in the baking cupboard, and I always stir in brandy or amaretto. I baked 12 last night which should last over the weekend!
I use some different recipes other than the basic pastry-top. Mince pies topped with frangipane (almond paste) are really good. I also bake cookie cups, which use a cookie dough instead of pastry.
I can’t think of any other food where shop bought is so different from homemade. The ones you buy in the shops are rank. My mum’s are absolutely delicious.
bought a nice looking box (snow, reindeers etc as decoration) of six in a well known supermarket in September .. all too late, read the 'best by' date this week .. November 11th (F F S) ((:>)
bought a nice looking box (snow, reindeers etc as decoration) of six in a well known supermarket in September .. all too late, read the 'best by' date this week .. November 11th (F F S) ((:>)
I made mince pies a few weeks ago with a jar of mincemeat that had a BB date of August 2020, still tasted delicious!
Forgot to add for those that make their own, can you post your recipe please, I’ve never tried cooking them but will have a go!
Bought all butter pastry is good but I make a flaky pastry that's midway between shortcrust and puff.
MINCEMEAT
Mix all the following except brandy, should be on the runny side (I add extra apple/orange juice if short on juice from squeezing oranges and lemon). You can adjust amounts to suit taste. Leave to soak overnight. Heat in covered dish in low oven for at least 2 hours. When cool add brandy, cut out pastry rounds to fit your muffin tin, fill and cover with lid wetted around rim. Brush with egg wash bake 180 C until pastry cooked.
Comments
2- shop
3 - trying to work through the options on the high street, Coop ones are good, Starbucks a winner, Costa do a good one, and about to move on to John Lewis No1 next. Thankfully running a lot so burning them off
Shop bought but have missed out on people bringing their own into the office this year of course. We have had 'rate my plate' of mince pies competitions in the past. What fun.
Currently on Sainsbury Taste The Difference which seem fine but no better than average.
Co-op ones are a good alternative.
I can't even bear the smell of them and the same goes for Christmas Cake/Wedding cake.
The best ever examples of above were produced by Sheratons patisserie a long gone much missed central London cafe/sandwich bar/bakers
Either that or homemade puff pastry ones made in the artisan style (ie mince just chucked in the pie and leaking out once cooked and then covered in icing sugar
Must be eaten on the hot side of warm on xmas morning with a glass of champagne
Never been angrier than when I found out that they had fruit rather than meat in them. A scar that I've carried from childhood.
2) Shop or homemade?
Homemade. With meat. And no fruit.
Tesco Finest have a crumble topped version this year, they are outstanding.
Bought all butter pastry is good but I make a flaky pastry that's midway between shortcrust and puff.
MINCEMEAT
Mix all the following except brandy, should be on the runny side (I add extra apple/orange juice if short on juice from squeezing oranges and lemon). You can adjust amounts to suit taste. Leave to soak overnight. Heat in covered dish in low oven for at least 2 hours. When cool add brandy, cut out pastry rounds to fit your muffin tin, fill and cover with lid wetted around rim. Brush with egg wash bake 180 C until pastry cooked.
Finely chopped apples 250g
Raisins 200g
Sultanas 125g
Currants125g
Zest and juice of 1 Orange
Zest and juice of 1 Lemon
Sliced almonds 30g
Mixed spice 35g
Brandy 45ml
Cinnamon 4g
Nutmeg 2g
Suet 125g
Candied peel 125g
Brown sugar 195gFrom a Morrison's pack.