YISCHEF XMAS Edition: "Awesome" Vegan Fruit Mince Pies

If you're looking for something delicious to go with your tofurky on Friday...


Bronwyn's Awesome Fruit Mince Pies

FOR THE FRUIT MINCE:

1 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar

150 ml orange juice

1 teaspoon mixed spice

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon ground ginger

1/2 teaspoon grated nutmeg

50 grams dried cherries

50 grams muscatels

50 grams dried figs, finely chopped

50 grams currants

50 grams craisins

50 grams candied cumquats, finley chopped

1 tablespoon grated orange rind

as much booze (rum, brandy, cognac, grappa, etc) as you like

DO THIS:

Chuck sugar, spices and juice in pan, dissolve sugar, add fruit, simmer for 5 minutes, remove from heat, add booze, cool, put in airtight container till ready to use.

FOR THE PASTRY:

(makes about 40 x 4 cm tarts)

1 cup plain flour

2/3 cup ground hazelnuts

180 grams nuttelex

DO THIS:

Process flour, nuts and nuttelex till it resembles fine breadcrumbs, slowly add chilled water until dough just comes together, remove from processor, wrap in cling film and chill for about an hour, roll out, cut into desired shape to fit tin, chill for another hour before blind baking.

TO ASSEMBLE TARTS:

Blind bake bases for 15 minutes on 200 degrees, add fruit mince, top with stars cut from pastry scraps, bake for another 10 minutes or until lightly golden. Remove, cool, and dust with icing sugar. Stuff yourself stupid.

- B.L.