Mincemeat Apple Cranberry Lattice Tart Food

MINCEMEAT, APPLE & CRANBERRY LATTICE TART

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6 and put a baking sheet in to heat up. Lightly flour a work surface, roll out the puff pastry to a 30 x 45cm rectangle, then put on a sheet of baking parchment. Mix together the apples and cranberries, then add the cinnamon, mixed spice, sugar, lemon zest and mincemeat, and mix again.
• Arrange the pastry in front of you with a short edge nearest to you. Spread the mincemeat mixture in a line down the centre, about 12cm wide, leaving 2cm of pastry at the top and bottom.
• To create the lattice pattern, start at the top of the pastry and cut a 1.5-2cm-wide horizontal strip of pastry on both sides of the mincemeat filling (so it is still attached next to the filling). About 1.5cm in from the filling, cut out a 0.5cm strip of pastry and remove this, then cut another 1.5-2cm strip (you're creating a pattern like the teeth of a comb). Repeat this method until you get to the bottom of the pastry. You'll need to cut out the final strip and remove this. Fold the top and bottom flaps of pastry up and over the filling. Fold the strips of pastry diagonally over the filling, starting from the top until you reach the bottom, creating a lattice pattern. You can now chill the tart for up to 2 days, or freeze for up to 2 months.
• Brush the tart with the egg and sprinkle with the extra sugar. Using the baking parchment, transfer the tart to the hot baking tray. Bake for 20-25 mins or until golden brown on top (add an extra 10-15 mins if baking from frozen). Leave to cool for 5 mins before serving with whipped cream or brandy cream.

APPLE CRANBERRY LATTICE TART

Steps:

• Crust:
• Preheat oven to 350. cream together the butter and sugar. Beat in the egg yolks until smooth.
• In a separate bowl, combine the flour, ground nuts, cinnamon, cloves and baking powder.
• Add the dry mixture to the butter mixture and mix till just combined.
• Using a 9 inch tart pan with removable bottom, press 2/3 of the dough into the bottom and up the sides of the pan about 1/2 inch. Set aside.
• Filling: In a medium bowl, toss the apples with the lemon juice to prevent them from browning. Add the cranberries and set aside.
• In a medium skillet, melt the butter over low heat.
• Add the sugar and brown sugar adn cook for 1-2 minutes, until sugar starts to melt.
• Stir in the orange juice till combined. Add the apple-cranberry mixture and continue stirring with a wooden spoon until the fruit is coated and teh mixture is bubbly, about 3-4 minutes.
• Remove from heat and allow to cool.
• Assembly: spread the apple mixture evenly in the crust, dot with the butter.
• Roll out the remaining dough approximately 1/4 inch thick and cut into 3/4 inch strips long enough to cover the tart.
• Arrange the strips diagonally 1/2 inch apart in a lattice pattern over the apple filling.
• Whisk together the egg and water and brush the strips lightly with the mixture. Bake for 40 minutes or till golden brown.
• Cool slightly before serving.
• Tart may be baked up to 24 hours in advanced and reheated for about 10 minutes before serving.

CRANBERRY MINCEMEAT PIE

Steps:

• Place rack in lower half of oven & preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• In a large bowl, stir together the mincemeat & cranberries, then set aside.
• Line a 9-inch pie plate with one pastry crust, then add the filling.
• Cover with a top crust, then seal & flute the edges before cutting several vent slits near the center.
• Whisk the egg yolk & water together, then brush the surface of the pie with the egg wash.
• Bake for 30 minutes, then cool to room temperature on a wire rack.
• Cover & refrigerate.

CRANBERRY MINCEMEAT TARTS OR PIE #2

Steps:

• In saucepan, combine mincemeat and cranberry sauce, stir constantly till almost boiling on medium heat.
• Remove from heat.
• Grate orange zest, peel orange and chop segments.
• Add orange zest, chopped orange and liqueur.
• Spoon into tart shells and place on baking sheet.
• Fill pie shell and use top crust or make fancy cut-outs with pastry.
• Bake in preheated 400°F oven for about 20 minutes or until pastry is golden.
• For pie bake for about 35 minutes.
• I can only fit 1 pie and 1 sheet of tarts at a time in my oven so cooking time includes the 2nd pan of tarts while pie is still cooking.

CRANBERRY MINCEMEAT TARTS

Steps:

• In saucepan, combine mincemeat and cranberry sauce, stir constantly till almost boiling on medium heat.
• Remove from heat.
• Grate orange peel and chop orange segments.
• Add orange peel, (I only used the zest and took the peel off the orange) chopped orange and liqueur.
• Spoon into tart shell and place on baking sheet.
• Bake in preheated 400*F oven for about 20 minutes or until pastry is golden.

PEAR AND CRANBERRY TART

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Cover cranberries with very hot water and let stand 10 minutes. Drain.
• Melt butter in a medium frying pan over medium heat. Add pears and 1 tbsp sugar, cooking 2 to 4 minutes or until softened but not falling apart. Reserve.
• On a floured counter using a floured rolling pin, roll pastry into an approximately10 x 10-inch square. Transfer to prepared baking sheet. Prick all over with a fork. Place pears in the centre of pastry and flatten them out into an even layer, leaving a 1-inch border. Sprinkle with cranberries. Fold pastry edges up over the edge of pears. Brush edges of pastry with beaten egg, then sprinkle sugar over pastry and pears. Bake 20 minutes. Reduce heat to 350°F (175°C) and bake another 10 to 12 minutes or until edges are puffed and golden.
• Serve with whipped cream or ice cream if desired.