Festive Feasting: Christmas mince pies Recipe

Christmas mince pies are a festive favourite for foodies. Why not add this to your silly season spread?

INGREDIENTS

NZ Christmas mincemeat
175g raisins
150g sultanas
100g mixed peel
150g currants
30g blanched almonds
1 lemon, grated zest and juice
1 orange, grated zest and juice
Quarter cup brandy
Quarter cup sherry
Half tsp allspice
Half tsp ground cinnamon
Half tsp ground ginger
75g butter
150g brown sugar
2 ripe bananas

METHOD

Place raisins, sultanas and peel in a processor and pulse well. Add to a large bowl with currants, almonds, zests and juices, brandy, sherry and spices.

Melt the butter in a large frying pan over low heat and stir in brown sugar. Add sliced bananas to the butter and sugar, mashing them in well. Continue cooking until thick and smooth. Add to the remaining ingredients, stir well and cover.

Leave at room temperature and stir again the following day, before placing in a covered plastic container in the fridge. Can be left up to several weeks to mature. Add to pastry parcels, decorate and bake accordingly.