Mincemeat Trifle Food

MINCEMEAT TRIFLE

Steps:

• In a saucepan, combine egg yolks, milk, sugar, lemon zest and salt until blended. Cook over medium-low heat until mixture reaches 160°, about 12-15 minutes. Remove from the heat; stir in vanilla. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour. , Meanwhile, combine mincemeat and lemon juice. Tear cake into 1-in. cubes; place a third of the cake in a trifle bowl or 2-qt. serving bowl. Top with a third of the custard and half of the mincemeat. Repeat layers. Top with remaining custard. , In a bowl, beat cream and confectioners' sugar until soft peaks form; spread over custard. Garnish with cherries if desired. Cover and chill for at least 2 hours.

TRADITIONAL MINCEMEAT

Steps:

• Soak the raisins and currants in the brandy and lemon juice for 1 hr until plumped up, then drain and set the brandy aside. Mix all the ingredients together in the order given, then pour in the brandy when everything else is well mixed. Spoon and press into sterilised jars, to exclude any air (the easiest way to sterilise jars is to run them through a dishwasher on its hottest setting). Cover and leave for at least a fortnight. Will keep in the fridge for up to 6 months.

MINCE PIE TRUFFLES

Steps:

• Line two baking trays with baking parchment. Put the shortbread in a food bag and crush to fine crumbs, then tip into a large bowl. Add the mixed spice, mincemeat, orange zest, cream and a pinch of salt, and mix until combined. Melt the milk chocolate in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water or in the microwave in short bursts, then stir this into the mixture. Chill for 45-50 mins until firm enough to roll into balls.
• Roll a heaped teaspoon of the mixture into a ball and put on the lined tray. If the mixture is a little sticky, dampen your hands slightly. Repeat with the rest of the mixture and chill for 45 mins-1 hr more until set.
• Melt the dark chocolate as before, then leave to cool slightly and pour into a small, deep bowl. Dip each truffle into it using a fork and shake off the excess. Put on the second tray to set. When set, decorate with edible gold lustre, if using. Will keep in a cool place or the fridge for a week.