December 12, 2007

Our international ladies small group has been doing various events with it being xmas so that we can invite other international friends who don't know the meaning or history of xmas. I told you about the truffle making event, which went very well, and today we had a Mince Pie making event. I was just as curious as the rest of them about how to make mince pies. :)

We had about 30 minutes to chat, learn names, and generally arrive and such. Then the person who was giving the demonstration showed us how to make the pastry part of the mince pies, and told us the history of mince pies, and why there is no meat in them although they are often called mince meat pies. :) Several of the ladies helped her with the pastry, then we used cookie cutters to cut out the circles for the pies (which are more like a tart size.) While the pies were cooking, K gave a short talk about xmas, what it's about, why we feel it's important, etc. Then we sampled the pies. It seems like a very simple structure, but people really enjoy it. So- on to my photos of how to make mince pies!

Instead of making the mince to put in the pies, they tend to buy it in a jar. :)

Mince meat pies used to have meat, as well as dried fruit (raisins, currants, etc) but over time the meat disappeared. There is suet in there though- not an appetizing thought. If you're interested in making some let me know and I can either send you the recipe she gave us for the mince meat or I can bring back a jar. The filling is killer sweet.

To make the pastry you start with 2 parts flour to one part butter. Then you use your fingers to break up the butter into little clumps.

Next you put in a little water and mix it, and repeat until the dough is sort of dry and vaguely crumbly looking- not thick like bread dough.

Then you take a rolling pin and roll it back and forth- she's demonstrating what not to do on the left- don't roll it all the way to the edge. And make sure the dough doesn't split as you roll it.

After the dough is rolled out, you can use a round cookie cutter or a jam jar to cut the circles. Then you put the circles into a tart tray- don't try to use a muffin tin because those are too deep and they'll turn out soggy.

You're supposed to put about a tablespoon of the filling in, but I think I'd put in less because it's too sweet to eat a whole one with that much in it, and they tend to leak while cooking if you put that much in.

You can use the same size or smaller cutter for the tops.

Actually, during the reformation mince meat pies were banned because it was common to not put a full piece on the top, but to put instead a dough replica of the baby JC, and reformationists were very anti that. You can also put star shapes or circles or whatever.

Almost ready for the oven.

You have to leave them to cool for awhile or you'll burn your tongue. A warning for my Asian friends- these are very very sweet, and unless you are ok with extreme sweet you might want to only make a few, and share one with a friend.

This is my Korean friend's little girl, Hamin (Ha-meen). She is just so cute. :)

You know, having a small party like this is a good way to meet international friends. At holidays like now and Thanksgiving and Easter etc invite some internationals to come to your house and enjoy the holiday with you. We missed our Chinese friends on Thanksgiving this year, and have missed not having a xmas dinner here, but these events have been fun too.