What is the tradition of eating the 12 mince pies?
They became a popular treat around the festive period thanks to a tradition from the middle ages, which saw people eat a mince pie for 12 days from Christmas day to Twelfth Night. Doing this was believed to bring you happiness for the next 12 months.
What is no longer in mince pies?
However, the modern mince pie is filled with a mixture of dried fruit and spices that is called ‘mincemeat’ but there is no meat in the mixture at all. Mince pies became associated with Catholism and were frowned upon by Puritan authorities, but the tradition of eating them continued through the Victorian era.
How do you keep mince pies from bubbling?
Just cut up a plastic drinking straw and place them in the pie, preferably through little decorative splits in the crust and they will vent the steam just like the piebirds. Macaroni can also be used in place of the drinking straws. And there you have it, a perfect, non-filling-bubbled-over pie.
What is the significance of mince pies at Christmas?
Why do we eat mince pies at Christmas? Mince pies were originally made to celebrate Jesus. They were oblong in shape to represent the manger that Jesus slept in as a baby and have a ‘pastry baby Jesus’ carved into the pastry. Traditionally one mince pie is eaten for the Twelve days of Christmas.
Why is the filling in a mince pie called mincemeat?
The reason mincemeat is called meat is because that’s exactly what it used to be: most often mutton, but also beef, rabbit, pork or game. Mince pies were first served in the early middle ages, and the pies were quite sizeable, filled with a mixture of finely minced meat, chopped up fruit and a preserving liquid.
What was originally in mince pies?
The early mince pie was known by several names, including “mutton pie”, “shrid pie” and “Christmas pie”. Typically its ingredients were a mixture of minced meat, suet, a range of fruits, and spices such as cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg.
How Long Will homemade mince pies last?
As with most home-baked goodies, it’s best to store your mince pies in an air-tight container in the fridge. This way they should be good for up to one week. Now with homemade baked mince pies they are suitable for freezing, and can be kept frozen for up to 3 months.
Why do my mince pies stick to the tin?
Before you place your pie in the oven for baking, make sure to grease the dish, and do not forget to dust it with some flour as well. Greasing only is not enough, you will have to dust it too to achieve best results. Check the bottom of your pie, and know that soggy pastries always stick.
Why is mincemeat called meat?
How do you make mince pies in the oven?
Heat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Line 18 holes of two 12-hole patty tins, by pressing small walnut-sized balls of pastry into each hole. Spoon the mincemeat into the pies. Take slightly smaller balls of pastry than before and pat them out between your hands to make round lids, big enough to cover the pies.
What can I use for filling for mincemeat pie?
May use brandy or apple juice in place of the rum. A friend gave me this recipe for mincemeat many years ago. It is so good that even those who do not care for mincemeat pie likes it. If preferred, use molasses instead of sorghum. Also, apricot juice can be substituted for the pineapple juice. This makes enough filling for 2 (9 inch) pies.
What kind of pastry do you use for mince pies?
Shortcrust pastry (used in this recipe) is a traditional mince pie case, but some like puff pastry. You can make quick, flaky mince pies by substituting thawed, frozen puff pastry. Is It Illegal to Eat Mince Pies on Christmas Day?
What kind of meat is in a mince pie?
Then they were made of a spiced, sweet meat mixture but are now commonly made with sweet mincemeat, a mixture of dried fruits, sugar, spices, and brandy (and no meat). They are a notable part of the heritage of a British Christmas. The recipe makes rich, sticky, sweet filling wrapped in pastry—you’ll see why they are so popular.