Mincemeat Apple Marzipan Wreath Food

MINCEMEAT, MARZIPAN & APPLE TARTE FINE

Steps:

• Line a baking sheet with baking parchment, and unroll the pastry on top. Prick all over with a fork, then spread the mincemeat over the pastry so it's covered in a thin layer, leaving a 1cm border around the edges. Chill for 20 mins.
• Roll the marzipan out on a work surface dusted with icing sugar to a roughly 30 x 21cm rectangle that's about 2mm thick. Drape it over the rolling pin and lay over the pastry, on top of the mincemeat layer. It should fit neatly in the middle of the pastry, within the border. Chill for another 20 mins.
• Heat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6 with a baking sheet inside. Peel and core the apples, but keep them whole. Using a mandoline or sharp knife, thinly slice the apples crosswise, so you end up with thin apple rings. Arrange the apple rings over the marzipan in an overlapping tight spiral shape that goes from the outside into the centre, or in neat overlapping lines. Dot over the butter and sprinkle with the sugar.
• Bake for 35-40 mins until the apples are golden and caramelised, and the pastry is cooked through. Serve in small slices with crème fraîche. Will keep, covered in the fridge, for up to three days.

MINCEMEAT AND MARZIPAN TEA BREAD

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 180c / gas 4 / fan 160c.
• Butter a 2lb loaf tin and line the base with greaseproof paper.
• Tip the flour into a bowl, add the cold butter and rub until the mixture forms fine crumbs. (I do this in the food processor to save time) Stir in the sugar and marzipan cubes.
• In another bowl, lightly whisk the eggs, and then stir in the mincemeat. Stir this into the flour mixture until evenly combined.
• Spoon in to the prepared loaf tin, smooth and sprinkle the flaked almonds over the top.
• Bake for 1 hour until the tea bread is risen and golden brown, or a skewer inserted comes out clean, (except for it you push it through a piece of marzipan!).
• Lightly dust the tea bread with icing sugar while it is still hot.
• Allow to cool in the tin for 10 minutes then tip on to a wire rack to cool completely.

MINCEMEAT

Steps:

• Combine cinnamon, cloves, ginger, nutmeg, and allspice in a bowl. Reserve 1 heaped teaspoon for the mincemeat. Store the rest in a small jar for a later use.
• Inspect two 12-ounce jars for cracks and rings for rust, discarding any defective ones. Immerse in simmering water until mincemeat is ready. Wash new, unused lids and rings in warm soapy water.
• Combine apple, sultanas, sugar, currants, raisins, and butter in a saucepan. Cook over low heat and stir gently until butter has melted. Stir in chopped almonds, orange zest, 1 teaspoon of mixed spice, and cinnamon. Bring mixture to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, 5 to 10 minutes.
• Remove from heat and set mincemeat aside to cool down for 30 minutes. Stir in brandy. Spoon into sterilized jars.