Scottish Mince Pie Recipes

AUTHENTIC SCOTCH PIE RECIPE

Steps:

• Start by oiling the pie tins with a little vegetable oil, or put cling film over the end of the glasses/jars you intend to use.
• Put the flour in a large bowl and make a well in the middle.
• Cut the lard into cubes and add to a small pot of hot water, stirring until it's melted. Don't allow the water to boil.
• Pour the mixture into the flour well and mix together with a wooden spoon, until it's mostly combined. Turn it out onto a floured surface and knead a little to make sure it's fully combined. As the hot water pastry cools it becomes harder to manage so you need to work reasonably quickly.
• Divide the pastry into 4 balls and then take a little from each ball to save for the pie lid. Between a quarter to a third depending on the size of the pies you're making.
• Roll out the pastry balls to about 5mm thickness one by one and put them into the pie tins, ensuring there is a flat even edge to the top of the sides of the pie. We rolled to approximately 20cm each for our 10cm tins. If you're using a jar or glass then drape the pastry over and cut around it to ensure it has a flat edge where the top of the pie casing will be.
• Roll out the lids and put them on cling film or baking paper on a tray. The lids will need to fit inside of the pie casing so you'll want to make sure they are not the exact size of the tins/cases but slightly smaller.
• Put all of the pastry in the fridge to harden.
• In the meantime, finely chop one small onion and fry in a pan. Add the mace and mixed herbs, and then put in a bowl with the minimum amount of stock/gravy.
• Once cooled add to the lamb and mix through. Add additional stock/gravy if the mixture isn't too wet. You don't want there to be too much liquid as it will leak out of the pie while cooking and make the pastry soggy.
• Divide the lamb mixture up and fill the pie cases about 3/4 full.
• Push the pie lids down into the pie casing, so they are around 1cm from the top of the pie.
• Cut a small hole in the top of the pies to let the air escape.
• Put the pies in the oven for around 45 minutes at 180°C or 356°F. Check at 35/40 minutes as you want the pastry to be just golden-brown.
• You can remove from the tins as soon as they're cool enough to handle.

TRADITIONAL BRITISH MINCE PIE

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• Place the flour, butter, and salt into a large clean bowl.
• Rub the butter quickly into the flour with your fingertips until the mixture resembles rough sand.
• Stir the egg into the mixture using a cold knife.
• Add the cold water, a teaspoon at a time, and stir until the mixture binds but is not sticky.
• Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill for a minimum of 15 minutes and up to 30 minutes.
• Gather the ingredients.
• Preheat the oven to 400 F / 200 C / Gas Mark 6. Choose a muffin or bun tin for the size of the tart you want. Choose from a standard 12-cup muffin tin down to small canapé size. The number of pies will depend on the size of the tin you use.
• Dust a work surface lightly with a little flour and roll out 2/3 of the pastry to 1/8 inch thick. Cut circles to line the cups of your tin; don't worry if the pastry doesn't come to the very top.
• Fill the pastry-lined tins 2/3 full with mincemeat.
• Roll out the remaining pastry to the same thickness and cut smaller circles to fit as lids on the tarts or, to be decorative, cut stars or other fancy shapes.
• Dampen the edges of the tart bases with a little cold water and press the lids on. Make a small hole in the surface of each pie with a small sharp knife to allow the steam to escape.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes (15 minutes if making canapé-sized ones), or until golden brown.
• Let cool and sprinkle with the confectioners' sugar.
• Serve and enjoy.

SCOTTISH MINCE PIE

Steps:

• Place the ground beef in a large pot and pour in enough water to cover beef. Boil until beef is cooked through. Drain.
• Add water to cover cooked beef, add onions and enough bouillon granules to taste. Cook until the onions are soft. Season with salt and pepper to your taste and make sure the filling has enough bouillon to have a nice beef flavor.
• Combine the 1/4 cup water with the cornstarch and stir until smooth. Add to the beef mixture and cook until mixture has thickened. Allow to cool to room temperature.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Roll out pastry to fit a 9-inch pie plate.
• Pour beef mixture into the pastry crust and cover the top with pastry. Crimp edges and prick top.
• Bake in preheated oven until pie crust is lightly browned, about 40 minutes.

SCOTTISH MINCE PIE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Place the ground beef in a large pot and pour in enough water to cover beef. Boil until beef is cooked through. Drain. Add water to cover cooked beef, add onions and enough bouillon granules to taste. Cook until the onions are soft. Season with salt and pepper to your taste and make sure the filling has enough bouillon to have a nice beef flavor. Combine the 1/4 cup water with the cornstarch and stir until smooth. Add to the beef mixture and cook until mixture has thickened. Pour beef mixture into the pastry crust and cover the top with pastry. Crimp edges and prick top. Bake at 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) for 30 minutes or until crust is lightly browned.

SCOTTISH MINCE PIE

Steps:

• Place the ground beef in a large pot and pour in enough water (about 8 cups) to cover beef. Boil until beef is cooked through. Drain.
• Add water to cover cooked beef, add onions and enough bouillon granules to taste. Cook until the onions are soft. Season with salt and pepper to your taste and make sure the filling has enough bouillon to have a nice beef flavor.
• Combine the 1/4 cup water with the cornstarch and stir until smooth. Add to the beef mixture and cook until mixture has thickened. Allow to cool to room temperature.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Roll out pastry to fit a 9-inch pie plate.
• Pour beef mixture into the pastry crust and cover the top with pastry. Crimp edges and puncture top.
• Bake in preheated oven until pie crust is lightly browned, about 40 minutes.