Name: Mince pies
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 15-20 minutes, plus 20 minutes chilling time
Yield: 12
Ingredients: For the pastry:; 150g wholemeal flour; 75ml rapeseed oil; 50ml cool water; For the filling:; 150g vegetarian mincemeat; 75g apple, grated and unpeeled; 50g carrot, grated; 1 tbsp sunflower seeds; 1 heaped tsp mixed spice; For the toppings:; half apple, finely chopped; half pear, finely chopped; dash lemon juice; 1 fresh fig, cut into small wedges; 3 walnut halves; 3 glacé cherries, halved; 2 tsp toasted, flaked almonds; grated orange zest

A healthier twist on a classic Christmas time favourite. The pastry uses wholemeal flour which is higher in fibre. The "topless" crust lowers the fat and calorie content but it still has all the flavours of Christmas.

Serves

Prep

15 minutes

Cook

15-20 minutes, plus 20 minutes chilling time

Nutritional Information:

Each 58g serving contains (excludes serving suggestion)

KCal: 168
Carbs: 17.4g
Fibre: 2.3g
Protein: 2.6g
Fat: 9.0g
(Medium)
Saturates: 1.2g
(Medium)
Sugars: 8.0g
(Medium)
Salt: 0.03g
(Low)
Fruit/Veg Portion: 0

What makes a healthy, balanced diet?

Ingredients

For the pastry:
150g wholemeal flour
75ml rapeseed oil
50ml cool water
For the filling:
150g vegetarian mincemeat
75g apple, grated and unpeeled
50g carrot, grated
1 tbsp sunflower seeds
1 heaped tsp mixed spice
For the toppings:
half apple, finely chopped
half pear, finely chopped
dash lemon juice
1 fresh fig, cut into small wedges
3 walnut halves
3 glacé cherries, halved
2 tsp toasted, flaked almonds
grated orange zest

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Method

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 180°C/gas 4. Make the pastry by mixing all the ingredients together, then kneading a few times. Roll into a ball, cover with cling film and place in the fridge for 20 minutes.

Step 2

Meanwhile, mix the mincemeat with the grated apple, carrot, sunflower seeds and mixed spice.

Step 3

Roll out the pastry, cut into rounds and line a 12-cup shallow bun tin.

Step 4

Add the mincemeat mixture to the pastry cases so they are three-quarters full, then bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes. Once cooked, remove from the oven and allow to cool on a rack.

Step 5

Prepare the toppings (see ingredient list), squeezing lemon juice over the apple and pear to stop browning.

Step 6

Just before serving, garnish the pies with a variety of the topping ingredients: wedge of fresh fig and a walnut: 1 tsp apple or pear, plus a cherry: a few flaked toasted almonds with orange zest, or any combination you like – use your imagination!

Recipe tips

For a citrus zing, try adding the grated zest of an orange or lemon to the mincemeat.
You can also add ground cinnamon, nutmeg or ginger in place of mixed spice.
Freezing instructions: Defrost for 2 hours to serve, or defrost in the microwave or a moderate oven.