Christmas Mince Pies

Base Instructions:

Preheat oven to 175c  (Fan assisted - for lower and upper shelves)

Place all ingredients into a blender and blend for 1 minute or so, until the mixture is smooth.

Grease a  silicone baking mat with tallow or lard.

Pour 100-105ml of the mixture on to a silicone mat on a baking tray and spread out a thin layer of the mixture using a spatula.

Repeat the process for the second sheet.

Place the baking trays in the oven and cook for 12-14 minutes (check often towards the end of the cooking time).

Remove the baking trays from the oven and allow the sheets to cool.

Use an 6-8cm diameter round cutter to cut 6-8 circular disks and 2-3 star shapes per Tripe Sheet. Reserve.

Place at least 3 circular disks gently one on top of the other into the centre of a muffin tin or paper bun case and press the base and the sides so that the disks take on the desired shape.

Reserve the bases in the fridge.

Filling Instructions:

In a pan, add the minced meat and stir often until cooked.

Pour off any excess juices. Allow the minced meat to cool.

Scoop out the bone marrow from the bone and place in a separate bowl.

Use a fork to break up the bone marrow a little, but not overly so. (We are looking for the bone marrow to retain some texture).

Next add the bone marrow mix and honey to the cool minced meat.

Use a spoon and lightly combine all the ingredients together and then leave the mixture to cool.

Spoon the mixture evenly between the mince pie bases.

Add a star shape to the top of each mince pie.

Add any additional lard decorations to the top of the mince pies and then place the mince pies back in the fridge for the filling to harden a little before serving.

Topping Instructions:

Place a star shape on top of the filling mixture of each mince pie and add an additional lard or tallow shaped decoration on top of each mince pie if desired. To make the decoration,

Add a little lard to a piece of greaseproof paper (to the size of the pastry cutter shape) and then pop the lard in the freezer for a few minutes to harden, before cutting the shape out with the cutter.