L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2019 www.italoamericano.org 38 L'Italo-Americano LA BUONA TAVOLA RECIPES COOKING TIPS SEASONAL DISHES TONI BRANCATISANO Continued to page 40 C hristmas time is usually associated w i t h s p e c i a l recipes that quite often are tradition- al to our family. Along with Christmas cake and Christmas p u d d i n g , m i n c e p i e s a r e a n essential part of my Christmas celebrations. Mince pies are part of a type of baking that reminds me of the magic that was Christmas while I was growing up. My parents would both do their part in mak- i n g s u r e o u r c h i l d h o o d Christmas memories were spe- c i a l . M y m o t h e r w i t h h e r C h r i s t m a s c o o k i n g , a n d m y father when he would go to the "Christmas Tree farm" every year to personally choose the fresh pine tree to be chopped down. He would usually swear a f e w c o l o r f u l w o r d s a s h e dragged it in the house, realizing (every year) that the tree was too high for our ceiling. Our tree was huge when you consider that the ceiling was 2 floors high, and our school friends would visit to see the size of our tree ever year. M y E n g l i s h g r a n d m o t h e r Doreen was in charge of untan- gling and testing all the lights before they went onto the tree, a n d o n l y t h e n w o u l d w e b e a l l o w e d t o s t a r t d e c o r a t i n g it. My father would have to use a l a d d e r t o r e a c h t h e h i g h e r branches and you can imagine the struggle to put the star on the top every year. Christmas fruit mince pies Pastry recipe: *This amount will provide enough pastry to make 12 com- plete mince pies. I usually dou- ble it to bake 24. 250-300g (2 to 2 1/3 cups) plain flour 125g (1/2 cup) butter 125g (1 cup) sugar 1 egg + 1 yolk pinch salt Filling recipe: 500g (4 cups) sultanas 500g (4 cups) raisins 500g (4 cups) currants 125g (1 cup) mixed peel 250g suet (1 cup) (grated or finely chopped) 500g (4 cups) granny smith apples 5 0 0 g ( 2 1 / 3 c u p s ) b r o w n sugar grated rind of 1 lemon + 1 orange 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg 1/2 teaspoon allspice 250ml Brandy or Rum Preparation Chop raisins and sultanas finely and mix with currants, suet and mixed peel. Peel, core and chop apples finely (you can grate them or use a food processor) and add to the mixture with orange and lemon rinds, spices, sugar and brandy. Cover and let stand for at least 24 hours. To make your pastry, use a f o o d p r o c e s s o r a n d p r o c e s s flour, sugar, butter and a pinch of salt until mixture resembles breadcrumbs. With food processor motor running, add egg and egg yolk. Process until mixture begins to f o r m l a r g e c l u m p s , s t o p p i n g machine as mixture forms a ball. Turn pastry out on to a lightly floured surface and knead gently to bring together. Divide pastry into two parts, form into two discs, wrap in plastic wrap and A festive plate of delicious, home made mince pies (Copyright: Toni Brancatisano) Christmas fruit mince pies

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