Pasteles de carne picada más ligeros

Ingredientes

• 85 g (3oz) currants
• 85 g (3oz) raisins
• 85 g (3oz) sultanas
• 85 g (3oz) dried figs (chopped)
• 50 g (1.75oz) candied mixed peel
• 60 g (2oz) reduced fat vegetable suet
• 3 Tbsp Splenda granulated
• 25 g (1oz) almonds (chopped)
• 1 small bramley apple (about 200g prepared weight) (peeled, cored and finely diced)
• 1 tsp mixed spice
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ground ginger
• pinch ground cloves
• finely grated zest and juice of 1 large orange
• drop of water as needed
• 3 Tbsp rum or brandy
• 300 g (2 + 1/2 cups) plain (all-purpose) flour
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 160 g (2/3 cup) vegan spread (I used Violife), cold ((or cold unsalted butter))
• 2 Tbsp Splenda granulated
• 1-2 Tbsp ice water

Preparación

1. 1

   --- Mincemeat: ---

2. 2

   To make the mincemeat, place all of the ingredients apart from your choice of alcohol into a pan over a low heat. Cook at a gentle simmer, stirring regularly, for 10 minutes; add a drop of water if the mixture seems too dry.

3. 3

   Remove from the heat and leave to cool until just warm then stir in the alcohol. Cover and refrigerate until needed.

4. 4

   --- Mince Pies: ---

5. 5

   Place the flour and salt in a large bowl and add the spread. rub in with your fingertips until it resembles fine breadcrumbs. Stir in the Splenda then gradually add ice water, a drop at a time, until the pastry comes together into a ball. Wrap in clingfilm and refrigerate for an hour.

6. 6

   Preheat the oven to 200C/400F/gas mark 6. Roll the pastry out thinly on a lightly floured surface and use a 9cm round cutter to cut out 12 circles of pastry.

7. 7

   Press the rounds of pastry into a 12 hole muffin tin, they won't come all the way to the top of the cavity. Fill each one with a spoonful of the mincemeat (you won't need all of the mincemeat).

8. 8

   Re-roll the pastry scraps and cut out 12 star shapes. Place a star on top of each pie then bake for 20-25 minutes until pale golden.

9. 9

   Leave the pies to cool in the tin for five minutes then carefully turn them out onto a wire rack to cool completely.