Zesty Mince Pies with Cranberry & Thyme

Mincepies1080x1080

Mincepies540x1080

Circle

 


Print Recipe


Zesty Mince Pies with Cranberry & Thyme

Course Dessert

Prep Time 30 Minutes
Cook Time 1 Hour
Passive Time 45 Minutes

Servings
Pies


Ingredients

Course Dessert

Prep Time 30 Minutes
Cook Time 1 Hour
Passive Time 45 Minutes

Servings
Pies


Ingredients


Instructions
  1. Peel the apples and oranges and dice into 1cm cubes.

  2. Combine apples and oranges into a saucepan with orange juice and zest, dried cranberries, honey, cinnamon and thyme. Heat the pan gently for 25 minutes until the fruit is soft. Once it’s ready, set aside and let cool.

  3. In a bowl, sift the flour and salt together. Add the butter and rub into the flour until it forms a bread crumb texture.

  4. Combine the sugar, grated zest and orange juice and mix until the dough comes together. Fold the dough into a ball and cover with cling wrap. Store the dough in the fridge for 30 minutes.

  5. Preheat fan forced oven at 180C°.

  6. Roll out the dough to about 2mm in thickness and with a round cookie cutter, cut the bases out of the mixture and place them in an oiled muffin tin, gently pressing the bottoms down. Add a tbsp of fruit mince in each casing.

  7. Cut out the tops of the mince pies – the dough can be a little thinner for this, and you can be creative with shapes and patterns. Place on top of the fillings.

  8. Bake pies for 30-35 minutes or until the pastry has browned beautifully.

  9. Let mince pies cool in the muffin pan for at least 15 minutes before removing. Dust with icing sugar and serve!


Share this Recipe

Pavlova with Grilled Nectacots, Thyme & Orange Syrup

Pavlova_1080x1080

Pavlova_1080x540jpg

Circle

 

Print Recipe
Pavlova with Grilled Nectacots, Thyme & Orange Syrup
Course Christmas, Dessert
Prep Time 30 Minutes
Cook Time 20 Minutes
Passive Time 2 Hour
Servings
Serves
Ingredients
Pavlova
Topping
Syrup
Course Christmas, Dessert
Prep Time 30 Minutes
Cook Time 20 Minutes
Passive Time 2 Hour
Servings
Serves
Ingredients
Pavlova
Topping
Syrup
Instructions
  1. Preheat fan forced oven at 160C° and arrange a baking tray with non-stick baking paper.
  2. Mix egg whites, sugar, cornflour, vinegar, vanilla essence and boiling water in a large bowl. Whip with electric beaters on high until stiff peaks form (You will know it’s ready when you remove the mixers, and the batter develops a nice firm peak).
  3. Transfer the mixture to the baking tray with the non-stick paper, use a spoon or spatula to create a round shape, form soft peaks at the top of the batter or smooth out if preferred. The meringue should create a rough 22cm diameter Pavlova.
  4. Bake for 20 minutes at 160C° until lightly brown. Switch off the heat and leave in oven to cool for approx 1 hour.
  5. To make the syrup combine sugar and water in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Bring to the boil, before removing from the heat. Add thyme and orange zest; let the syrup infuse for 1 hour, then strain into a container with a tight-fitting lid.
  6. Place the cold thickened cream in a large bowl. Beat it on high for approximately 5-10 minutes, once the liquid starts to thicken gradually add the sugar. The whipping should look thick and glossy; once it forms hard peaks chill in the fridge until you are ready to plate the Pavlova.
  7. Finally, warm a grill pan over high heat. Lightly smear the pan with cooking oil and add nectacots, cut side down. Grill for 1-2 minutes or until golden brown grill marks appear. Transfer the nectacots to a plate and let them cool.
  8. To build the Pavlova start by carefully placing the meringue base on the serving stand or plate. Top with the generous amounts of chilled whipped cream and add the grilled nectacots, drizzle with the orange and thyme syrup and sprinkle with roasted almonds. Decorate with fresh thyme sprigs, serve immediately and enjoy.
Share this Recipe