mince pies

A taste of Xmas from J.J.Green.

I'm in a rut: every Christmas I feel compelled to make mince pies, and every time I end up binning half of them. Well, it's Christmas and I have no opportunity to eat them because I'm in the pub all the time.

"Why don't you make half as many then, you big arse?" Like I said, I'm in a rut.

What you'll need for too many pies: Firstly, too much pastry:

• 12oz of plain white flour, sifted into a large bowl, mixed with a half tablespoon of sugar and a pinch of salt,
• 3oz margarine and 3oz butter, rubbed in coarsely,
• enough water folded in to form a stiff pastry.

Put the pastry into into a plastic bag (with a tablespoon of flour to stop it sticking) and leave it in the fridge for an hour.

Roll out, cut into rounds and pop into your pie trays, put in not too much mincemeat, else the pies will explode. Brush with beaten egg, bake for 30 minutes and when they come out drench them with caster sugar. Makes about 18.

Anyone want a pie? anyone?