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Bought mincemeat

(22 Posts)
granjura Thu 12-Dec-13 16:15:57

I always add some grated apple in bought mincemeat to make it less sweet- it really works.

Rosiebee Wed 11-Dec-13 21:35:15

This year I used S'bury's Taste the D mincemeat for some mince pies I was making for a local CH fair. Well it looked a bit sloppy in the jar and like the pies made by specki4eyes they errupted with molton juice. Having said that, the mincemeat had a lovely flavour and was very tasty but they didn't look pretty so I didn't take them to the fair. Next time I'll seek out a more solid looking mincemeat like Robinsons. Never had that boiling problem with their product. I'm glad you dust yours with icing sugar too. I don't like mine brown and shiny. I want them to look like mum's as well. smile

yogagran Thu 05-Dec-13 22:29:50

Wonder if it would help if you reduced the oven temperature a little specki

specki4eyes Thu 05-Dec-13 21:16:42

I do Phoenix and I've got one of those and the stuff still boils out! It must be that I'm putting too much in. But I like the mincemeat more than I like pastry. My late Mum used to make very neat melt in your mouth mince pies, full of mincemeat, no stickiness and all softly dusted with icing sugar. this is one of those many moments when I wish I could ask her something!

Anne58 Thu 05-Dec-13 00:03:18

Our you could try using a star shaped cutter for the tops, which will leave a gap at points where the pastry doesn't meet.

Oh heck, that sounds weird, but hopefully you will know what I mean! confused

Soutra Wed 04-Dec-13 22:28:55

Never said I did, never said I didn'ttchwink

Nonu Wed 04-Dec-13 20:59:19

I used to when they were all young and at home , cheaper .
Just don"t bother now , truth be told rarely buy them either , one just eats them because they are there.
" A minute on the lips , lifetime on the hips " I think is a trueisim !!

tchgrin

Ana Wed 04-Dec-13 20:33:28

I'm with Soutra on this one (although I wouldn't bother pretending they were home-made!). I have admiration, though, for those who actually make their own.

tiggypiro Wed 04-Dec-13 20:31:05

When I make mincemeat I do put it through the mincer which makes it like a paste with nutty bits in. It means I can get more filling in the pies and it doesn't boil out. Also means that I get mincemeat with pastry and not pastry with a bit of mincemeat.

specki4eyes Wed 04-Dec-13 18:42:13

Thanks for all those. Has anyone tried heating the mincemeat in a saucepan to reduce the liquid down?

Soutra Wed 04-Dec-13 17:59:31

If you buy them from Riverford organic veggies they look sufficiently distressed home made and if you remove the tinfoil cases you really could pass them off as your own.

gangy5 Wed 04-Dec-13 17:55:03

I put the tops on mine without sealing them down. This allows the hot air to get out and by the time they've cooked the tops have joined up with the bottoms!! Also don't fill too much.

Nonnie Wed 04-Dec-13 16:11:32

I think the apples make it even more liquid, try the nuts or maybe some more suet? Probably the simple answer is Aka's. Yes, I always add brandy too and mine are very popular.

Aka Wed 04-Dec-13 15:57:17

wink

Aka Wed 04-Dec-13 15:56:47

I'll try that too Stansgran

annodomini Wed 04-Dec-13 15:15:24

I haven't made any mince pies for some time but when I did, I added chopped apples to a jar of mincemeat.

Stansgran Wed 04-Dec-13 15:08:32

Dust the pastry board with ground almonds. Sops up the extra liquid and adds something special. DH thinks I'm poisoning him quietly.

Aka Wed 04-Dec-13 14:49:46

I like that idea Flower might try that too.

Flowerofthewest Wed 04-Dec-13 14:46:31

I sometimes add chopped nuts, extra fruit ie cherries etc to mincemeat and a drop or two of brandy to make it more luxurious tchwink

merlotgran Wed 04-Dec-13 14:02:46

Buy a good quality mincemeat that's not runny.

Aka Wed 04-Dec-13 13:57:54

Don't put as much in?

specki4eyes Wed 04-Dec-13 13:55:17

I usually make my own mincemeat but haven't had time this year so have bought a well known brand.

Has anyone discovered the trick of stopping the mincemeat from boiling up out of the pies? I just want to make some nice neat mince pies that aren't surrounded by sticky juice.