I'm a 57-year-old American who LOVES mince pie. My father always wanted to try mince pie and never did; I'm so sad for him! I will definitely try your recipe and the brandy butter! Belated happy holidays and woof-woof to your pooch.
Dear Chef Grady, I have lived inAmerica for over 50 years, and one of the things that I truly miss the most is a really good Mince Pie. My Mother bless her heart used to call hers bullets. Mum always said that her hands were too hot for making good pastry. Over here while my husband was still alive I used Cross and Blackwell Mince Meat with Brandy. I would buy it and then keep it for two years before I used it. Actually my Mince Pies were not bad. Nothing like your lovely examples though. I am so glad that we can now subscribe to your channel, I will be an avid watcher of your vlogs. My brother and then my sister are coming to visit me this spring so I am going to be looking for lots of your wonderful, not too difficult recipes to cook for them. I am Jane Goldstein and am very glad that I have found you. Thank you Chef Grady. 😎👍🐴🐎🧑🏻🦰
"I am from the United States of America and I have been watching your Channel for some time now and I have to admit, "You have got to be one of the most talented chefs I have ever known! I love all the receipts that share with us all! I love your personality as well as you bring so much joy, happiness and love into your work of sharing! "Thank you for sharing your many talents with the World!" "God Bless You & Your Family!"
These are beautiful…. Reminds me of my grandmother’s mince pies and plum pudding . She came to Canada in 1923 and delighted us with everything English at Christmas. This video was a walk down memory lane, Thank you. Merry Christmas and best wishes for 2023.
I’m not even a fan of mince pie but my father always loved it and had a great aunt back in the day who “made the best”. The royal mince looks so good I may even give it a go! 🥧 🎄
Hello there. For me,shortcrust pastry is a must for homemade mince pies. I just love it above all other types of pastry.I have type one diabetes,so I have just one at Christmas.Aren’t I the goody two shoes .!!! Greetings and hugs,from Jo. xxxxxxx
Love your channel. I make my mincemeat in August each year same as my cake and pudding. I usually use suet to bind all the ingredients, I also use Brandy and Rum for my mincemeat. I also soak my fruits for about 3 days then combine all the ingredients and very slowly cook the mincemeat then jar and store under my bed with other goodies. Thank you for showing the world some very good British Christmas foods
@@violaspencer5628 thank you. Most or many British Christmas desserts and cakes have alcohol in them. If not then it’s not unusual to have alcohol in creams and custards or even traditional British trifle. Our traditional Christmas puddings, cakes and mincemeat are all very similar in which they all have tons of fruit, nuts and alcohol but are all cooked very different. A proper Christmas cake like a pudding can be cooked in August. As long as you wrap them up properly then they last for many months. The pudding is usually boiled or steamed, the cake is oven baked and mincemeat is usually slowly cooked and stored in jars. The cake we feed every month with brandy or rum.
Hi Darren I watched a clip of The Crown yesterday and you were mentioned by Princess Diana who was making an omelette, and she said to Prince Charles - "Darren would write instructions on how to cook."
Those look divine. I'll have to make those for Christmas. I love mincemeat tarts but always have used Borden's NoneSuch Brandy and Rum recipe mince. But your recipe looks nice and simple and the brandy butter looks like a delicious addition.
Happy Christmas to Chef Darren McGrady and Winston too. Thank you for sharing this wonderfully easy mince tart recipe without chunks of fruit peel or suet. I will use this recipe for next year's Christmas tarts. I thoroughly enjoy watching your channel, there is always something new to learn. I learned tonight that baked tarts should sit in the tart pan until completely cold before attempting to transfer them to a cooling rack. Very wise!!🎄
My English Grandmother's homemade mincemeat--dating back to before 1900--which I still make, called for ingredients by the pound and did use meat or venison in the mixture which she then canned. I just freeze or refrigerate mine. The meat and suet add to the richness of the raisins, currents, apricots, orange and lemon peel and yes, a small amount of candied peel, which I also have made or bought at the after Christmas sales for the next year's batches. I use individual tart pans which makes them release easier than a muffin tin. Gran's recipe calls for gem pans which are now hard to find. Cheers.
My grandma made little tarts by just laying down the round of pastry, spooning on the mincemeat, folding it over and crimping the edges with a fork. Her pastry had poppyseeds in it. It's one of my fondest memories of Christmas on the central California coast!
My granddad was head chef in Bellamys restaurant in our parliament buildings in NZ. in the 1950s and sixties and we always had xmas dinner the engligh way . I love fruit mince pies. Thanks for the recipe.
You are the best demonstrated of how to follow a recipe. Marvelous video. No filler talk which I hate no loud music. I'm watching to learn not to be introduced to anyone's relatives etc. Great job. Will watch for you .thanks
I am Canadian 🇨🇦and grew up loving mince pies, although ours didn’t have the candied peel you detest! I have been experimenting with Christmas cake for years now, adding better nuts and fruit and yes, brandy. I intend to give this a go - looks amazing! Thank you so much for sharing and merry Christmas!🎄❄️☺️
Thanks a lot for your lovely recipes, memories and your joy in showing the food! And of course for Winston :-) Been following for more than two years and always happy to watch. It's always like a small trip to England. Merry Christmas from Germany
I lived at Sandringham and I love mince pies but I never knew that the mince was so easy to make...it used to take me hours! I will use that recipe now
@@sarahbgln Hi Sandringham estate consists of several villages, I lived in Dersingham which is right next to the estate. The woods and park land are open to visitors for free as is the shop and butchers who sell royal red poll cattle the meat of which is delicious. Public are allowed in the house for a fee only when the royals are not in residence. We lived there for some time. The Queen had pick your own farms where we took the grandchildren to pick apples plums etc. Just down the road was Anmer village where Prince William and Kathrine lived. I now live in New Zealand but like to watch videos about the royal family. t
I ADORE mince pies! Learned about them from my ex-boyfriend from London, and purchased from a British shop in Annapolis, Maryland. Now long gone, and cannot find them anywhere. I did order online a Christmas cake for Christmas, but was so badly disappointed with it, it must have sat in a warehouse for years and I got the very last one, hard as a rock and foul. Learned my lesson, never to buy food online! Thank you Darren for this recipe, I will make and treasure all my remaining years on God's green earth. HAPPY OR MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!
You are so British. First in your taste in British desserts (puds) and now in your choice of language ("foul"). Americans should use the word "foul" more just like British people, it's the perfect word to describe something so accurately!
Try making a Christmas cake, I follow the Delia Smith recipe and it always turns out lovely. You can make it a few weeks before Christmas and ‘feed’ it brandy until you marzipan and ice it (traditionally on Christmas Eve). It’s v rich and will last so can be eaten well into January.
My Mother used my Grandmother's (born 1886) recipe for mincemeat, and in addition to all the fruit there was suet. I don't remember there being any nuts in it though. Grandma taught my Mom to put it all through a meat grinder so that nothing would be too big or too hard. My Mom would 'can' some for future use. I've got to find that recipe.
I think you would have to have money to put nuts in a mincemeat recipe. When you look in the shops, the more expensive mince pies have nuts, the cheap ones don't.
@@janetpendlebury6808 if I make mincemeat now, I will be doing my utmost to make it as low carb as possible. Needless to say, I won't be buying commercially prepared mincemeat.
So glad I found your channel you brought me back to when I lived in England as a child. Thank you for such a wonderful memory. Merry Christmas! Do you have a cookbook?❤
I've only had Mince pie once in my life. My mother-in-law was Canadian and she made it. It was delicious! So now I have your recipe. Thank you so much!
Oh golly! First the spice selection from you that is excellent. Now this wonderful recipe for our first big family get to gather in Florida! Thank you Darren and Merry Christmas from my family to yours!
I have always loved Minecraft pie since I was a child..I'm 62 now and it has been many years since I've had one.Most of the mincemeat pies in the USA are usually made with a very expensive ready made mincemeat that comes in a jar,ready to pour into prepared pastry.This looks marvelous,and perfectly do-able! The only addition I might make is that I would love to add some finely chopped pecans.The brandy sounds azing ,and I love your videos!
Mince pie was one of my Dad's favorites. Mom also made minced cookies. Almost the same as your pies, but like a stuffed cookie. I'm going to try your mincemeat recipe !!!
@@patlyons1225 I don't have Mom's recipe, but my brother should have it at our old house. I'll have to ask. I did find one the Food recipe site, Old-fashioned raisin filled cookies. Sounds and looks like Mom's. Mom had a 2 1/2 to 3" flower shaped cookie cutter.
I just made these and I think this is the best mince I have ever tasted. Additionally the pastry is so delicious and flaky…a definite winner! Happy Christmas Darren!
My Mom and her mother always made mincemeat with roast beef. Mom would cook up an extra large pot roast and use about half of the meat as a base for her wonderful mincemeat in maybe July. We would add currents, citron, oranges and other ingredients, put the stuff in canning jars and let the contents ripen for 6 months before making pies for Christmas. I have wonderful, warm, flavorful memories learning from TWO great cooks, Mom and Gram. Priceless. Merry Christmas to all and Peace. 🎀🎄🕊️😸
Thank you Darren. I could never eat fruit cake b/c of that awful candied fruit peeling but your recipe looks absolutely perfect. Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones. Stay safe and see you next time. Regards from France
When I was a kid, about 5 or 6 years old, we had some mincemeat from somewhere, perhaps as a Christmas gift. I think my mother did not know what to do with it. I had a taste of it and said I liked it, even the candied citrus peel. I have a vague memory that she made a large pie from it, based on an American-style apple pie, and she didn't like it and after that mincemeat was banished. Since then, I've seen prepared mincemeat in the store but didn't buy it. Now I know how to make my own and use it. This is very educational. I've just discovered this channel and I like it a lot!
No suet? this recipe looks great, will have to remember it this fall when I'm trying to figure what to do with all the apples from my trees. Merry Christmas Winston! , and you too Darren.
I found something I like in the 1980 copyright edition of the Fanny Farmer cookbook. It’s a recipe for a vegetarian mince meat. Yummy! E.T.A. It is very similar to your recipe, except without the brandy, and can be used immediately. Oh my goodness….those look so delicious! And look like something that could be made in a home kitchen.
I love when Winston makes an appearance! My dad's favorite pie, not mine so much. But these sound so good, I may need to give them another try. ☺ Happy Holidays! 🎄❤💚
Mince pies with brandy butter! Lovely! I like the idea of making butter pats or nuggets. I have always plied it into a bowl. I’m going to start a new trend! Thanks for the great idea.
I found myself unconsciously opening my mouth to take a bite at the end of the video! Ha ha ha ha! I have never done that before. Happiest of holidays to you Darren and all your viewers.
Hi Winston!!! What a beautiful recipe! We used to teach about Christmas around the world in the 4th grade. I taught about Great Britain. I used to get up at 3 a.m. to make hundreds of mince pies for all of the children. Mine were not nearly as lovely as yours, but the kids loved them.
My Mom made a "Hard Sauce" by whipping butter, powdered sugar and whiskey (hence the "hard" in Hard Sauce) together until really stiff. Then we'd chill the sauce and serve it with warmed wedges of Mincemeat Pie. Also wonderful on top of freshly baked Bread Pudding. The heat melts the butter and you have rivulets of hard sauce melting down the sides of the pudding...YUMMY! I just gained 5 pounds thinking about it 😄. Happy 2023 everyone! Make it a delicious year.
Made 15 dozen mince pies this year for family and friends…it’s a tradition passed on from my mom, who I think one year made 60 dozen! My all time record was 32 dozen! I use shallow patty tins and about two teaspoons of mincemeat in each pie. I use only Robertsons mincemeat, and my pie crust doesn’t use butter or egg, but crisco (USA), powdered sugar on top. I honesty think if I didn’t make them there would be riots in my family!! Lol! Merry Christmas and happy new year!
I also use the Robertsons fruit mince, but I add 2/3 cup chopped walnuts to 1 jar of it. It takes the edge off the fruitiness which I find a little overpowering. 👍
Mince pie is my favorite. I've never had them like that but they look delicious! We would warm a slice of pie and put a little vanilla ice cream over it. Yum!
Love this version and will make them ASA).My mother was a WWII war bride and every year in the US she would make Christmas cakes, and mince pies at Christmas much like the one above, but we always put the hard sauce on the outside. Mother's friends would tell her not to buy them presents at Christmas-- just to make a Christmas cake and mince pies!. I have carried on her tradition and it gives me great pleasure to get this recipe for home-made mincemeat. Exxcellent!
“Pies” must be confusing to some not brought up with this Christmas delicacy. My mum made then every year and I’ve taken over. Usually make my own with port. They are really a tartlet and I have heard them called that. Made my usual batch this year, a bit tricky in Brisbane with the humidity. My niece, a chef, told me to put everything including the flour in the fridge before assembling the ingredients 😁🇦🇺🎄Merry Christmas to all.
Mincemeat pie was a staple in my family from just after Thanksgiving to the first week of January. Always liked it, but only made it from scratch once because just like my from-scratch, from freshly-roasted pumpkin pie, they were all used to the ones made from canned pumpkin and Nonesuch mincemeat and liked those better. I actually love the traditional mincemeat with the apples, currants, candied peel, vinegar, spices, etc. I do recall a white icing on some of them. So delicious. 🤷 Thanks for sharing your excellent recipes. Merry Christmas (& Happy Chanukah) Darren!
Oh wow, this is interesting because my grandma used to make mincemeat with venison. If not venison, it was whatever game my dad or grandpa came home with😂 They were always so good. We always knew when she was making them even before we got to the driveway. I miss those aromas. I'm looking forward to trying your version. Thank you for sharing❤
I recently watched what medieval cooking in England was like on Real Royalty. Darren has a great amount of cultural heritage in what he does. I'm rather shocked. Richard II loved his berries and nuts, and perhaps this is where he got a hint, because I'm sure the Royal Archivists know and this information would go on to the family.
Traditionally, the idea of Mince pies was said to have come back from the Middle East with the Crusaders. They noted the tendency to cook meats with fruits and sweet sauces (Sweetmeats). So when they returned, the Mince pies were born. They were originally shaped like the Manger, the sweet contents representing the sweetness and goodness of the Christ child.
Yes, mince pies and Christmas pudding are some of the oldest elements of Christmas foods eaten now in Britain and elsewhere. This combo of meat (albeit the 'meat' is now no more than suet, and for the last 20 years or so probably even 'vegetarian suet'), dried fruit and spices has been used the world over for centuries. Think North African tagines of, say, lamb with dried apricots and spices. In Britain, when so few fresh fruits were available in the winter months, dried fruit was an important food, but because they had to be imported they were quite expensive. So were spices, for the same reason. So whereas during the winter cooks would use dried fruit sparingly (say a few currants scattered through a steamed suet pudding, going easy on the sweet spices too), Christmas dishes like this used a lot, to signify a very special occasion.
I can’t imagine eating a mince pie without brandy butter! Have been doing that for over 50 years. If you really want decadence put a dollop of extra thick cream on top too 😊
Looking forward to this. Will be making the Royal Chocolate Birthday Cake for my Mom’s 95th Birthday next month. Love the Tart Tatin and whiskey steaks too. Cheers and so many thanks
Fantastic! I am off to get ingredients to make fresh mincemeat, thanks so much Darren, for this and for all the other great recipes you have shared with all of us this past year. Oh and what is the measurement for the sliced almonds? A very happy Christmas to you and yours. See you next year! 🎄🎇🥂
With this rainy stormhere those small pies looks so delicious And very heart warming with a cup of tea Thank you so much for the recipe. May God enriched you In health Peace & Love this coming New Year 2023💛
Prince Phillip sounds kind of accident prone lol. I remember the story about him almost eating the pie weights. This looks delicious and you made it look so simple. I will try this for my English hubby.
Where have you been hiding? I had been searching for a wonderful new (to me) cooking show, and stumbled on this quite by accident. So approachable and fun to watch. I made my first mince pies when I was a teen. Not a Christmas staple here in the US. Instead of individual ones, we tend to make large ones with lattice tops to be sliced into individual servings. I tried your recipe this year, but instead of making pies, I served the warmed filling over homemade vanilla ice cream ... heavenly.
While I always enjoy Darren McGrady's videos, I've noticed that the most recent ones are so DARK. There simply is not enough LIGHT. Everything is so muted, it makes the videos less enjoyable. Please fix this.
It's amazing to me how totally out of favour anything with raisins is with younger people now. Most of them despise Christmas cake, Christmas pudding, mince pies . . . unbelievable!
You’re right, I do find it strange as I am 60 now and I loved all those things from when I was a little boy! We weren’t allowed to have mince pies until Christmas Day actually arrived so of course there was a tremendous buildup and the anticipation was very exciting. One savoured them as a great treat, as I still do today.
My mince pies come directly out of a jar but I would love to make my own at home a few months in advance. Does this require a water bath to sterilize the jars? Brandy butter is the best on mince pie, but so is a marzipan layer on the crust. Thank you for the recipe!
I so admire you Darren for being able to cook for the Queen and other Royals. You must have nerves of steel as well as an encyclopaedic memory of who likes what. This coming from someone who once only....made 2 lemon cheesecakes from a packet. For a Church function. I put extra lemon juice in to make it less bland. It nearly fetched the enamel off everyone's teeth. We had such a lovely fun congregation that when we came to deserts, someone asked...'who made THIS? My 7yr old son, also named Darren piped up before I could stop him....'mum did.....Grandad says she's a useless cook'.😄😄😄😄 The next 'do' I was asked to bring CRISPS!!!!!! We all had some laughter out of it for years.
@Darrenmcgrady1965 thanks so much Darren if you're the real mcoy and this is not a hoax. Can you imagine how I got it so wrong,? Neither can I, so I know you are not offering me a job. Or a Cordon Bleu course, but thank you for jogging my memory and the laughs. They are priceless. I have improved since and cannot tolerate lumpy gravy. Please keep up with your videos. God bless.x
Someone has suggested your very own cooking show Chef Darren. Now that would be another real treat because you are so tranquil to watch. And to think your food was served to Her Majesty...and other Royals. Will try some of your recipes and see if my son has forgotten. Happy New Year. Blessings.
Chef Darren you are special. The mince filling looks amazing with all those ingredients, thanks so much for this recipe! I would never have thought of the brandy butter. I have got to try this tomorrow! I truly enjoy your personality and the videos, take care. Merry Christmas to you and the family, and of course, not forgetting Winston!
In Morocco they do a filo pastry pie with pigeon and dried fruit cinnamon and sugar. It’s quite a Christmassy flavour. I think you can also have it made with lamb. It also has icing sugar sprinkled over the top. Delicious and is probably similar to what our original mince pies tasted like…
I'm in the USA, my grandmother used to make mincemeat pie when I was a kid and I hated it. They were large pies, and were deep dish, had to be at least 2.5 inches high with the mincemeat. A few years ago a very good friend of mine who is a Brit, gave me a box of Walkers Minced Tarts. OMGosh!! They were fabulous! Now, I can't wait for our Thanksgiving to arrive, I go to World Market and buy boxes of Walker's tarts. Not only do I want my share, but they do make wonderful gifts. After seeing this, I think I'd like to try my hand at making them myself, though I'm not sure I could beat a Walkers!!
Perfect! Thanks. Today is 31st Dec, just using 2nd half of ingredients for another batch (1st batch made Christmas Day). Whole family said never buy store bought again. Delicious!
My maternal Grandmother,Ida Mary Swain Jackson, would make at least 2 of every pie. Mincemeat,pumpkin,apple,lemon meringue, I hope im not forgetting any. They were absolutely fabulous. The mincemeat...only a thin slice ,so rich. Her husband,Grandpop, was born and raised in Stoke on Trent,England,came here as a teen.
Thanks for the great demo and recipes! I can't wait to try them. I would have just rolled the brandy butter into a log and sliced them but your professional touch is so much better. Thanks again and Merry Christmas.
Oh my goodness Darren, you brought back memories I have of my Grandma who came from England and she baked some similar goodies for the family. I am resurrecting some of her recipes and introducing them to my kids to hopefully carry on the tradition. I really enjoyed watching you bake! Thank you!
My wife's great aunt Ursula made minced venison neck meat empanadas. She'd put dried apricots with nuts and raisins, plus dried cranberries in them for our Christmas Eve family gathering every year. My father-in-law and brother-in-laws would always make a b-line straight to them. I'd even put some in a plastic bag I always brought along. I wasn't happy unless I got at least 10 of them. They were so good that she'd win the "Best Pie" contest at the county fair just about every year at the county fair because they were so good. I think she put dark rum into them also. I loved devouring them with a couple hot buttered rum drinks. My mouth is watering just thinking about how much I miss them.
I'm a 57-year-old American who LOVES mince pie. My father always wanted to try mince pie and never did; I'm so sad for him! I will definitely try your recipe and the brandy butter! Belated happy holidays and woof-woof to your pooch.
Hi where is your father now?This made me very sad love from Türkiye İzmir
Don't be sad
Dear Chef Grady,
I have lived inAmerica for over 50 years, and one of the things that I truly miss the most is a really good Mince Pie.
My Mother bless her heart used to call hers bullets. Mum always said that her hands were too hot for making good
pastry. Over here while my husband was still alive I used Cross and Blackwell Mince Meat with Brandy. I would buy it and then keep it for two years before I used it. Actually my Mince Pies were not bad. Nothing like your lovely examples though. I am so glad that we can now subscribe to your channel, I will be an avid watcher of your vlogs. My brother and
then my sister are coming to visit me this spring so I am going to be looking for lots of your wonderful, not too difficult recipes to cook for them. I am Jane Goldstein and am very glad that I have found you. Thank you Chef Grady.
😎👍🐴🐎🧑🏻🦰
That is a lovely letter Mrs Goldstein.
Hi Jane, Kiwi here, random arrival. What a pleasure to read this story. Thanks. I'm not a christian but i do like the foods of xmas.
It amazes me that many of RF's dishes are actually quite simple. We can all make this. Thanks so much...
Merry Christmas to you and Winston.
Longevity is the result.
I think it's just like in sports or maybe anything - if it looks effortless and easy, it probably isn't. It's a lot of hard work to get these results.
@@saschamayer4050 They really aren't difficult to do
@@saschamayer4050 j
Most british dishes are quite simple..
In our house we take the lids off and place clotted cream inside, excellent
"I am from the United States of America and I have been watching your Channel for some time now and I have to admit, "You have got to be one of the most talented chefs I have ever known! I love all the receipts that share with us all! I love your personality as well as you bring so much joy, happiness and love into your work of sharing! "Thank you for sharing your many talents with the World!" "God Bless You & Your Family!"
FANTASTIC recipes for mince pies & brandy butter!! Watching December 2024.
Chef Darren you are pure joy to watch, thank you and Merry Christmas.
These are beautiful…. Reminds me of my grandmother’s mince pies and plum pudding . She came to Canada in 1923 and delighted us with everything English at Christmas. This video was a walk down memory lane, Thank you. Merry Christmas and best wishes for 2023.
I’m not even a fan of mince pie but my father always loved it and had a great aunt back in the day who “made the best”. The royal mince looks so good I may even give it a go! 🥧 🎄
Hello there. For me,shortcrust pastry is a must for homemade mince pies. I just love it above all other types of pastry.I have type one diabetes,so I have just one at Christmas.Aren’t I the goody two shoes .!!! Greetings and hugs,from Jo. xxxxxxx
It's so much better when you make your own and you can tweak the recipe, add or remove things, to suit your taste.
Love your channel. I make my mincemeat in August each year same as my cake and pudding. I usually use suet to bind all the ingredients, I also use Brandy and Rum for my mincemeat. I also soak my fruits for about 3 days then combine all the ingredients and very slowly cook the mincemeat then jar and store under my bed with other goodies. Thank you for showing the world some very good British Christmas foods
I want YOUR recipe! Sounds so good (better?) soaking the fruit in booze… I even like the bitter candied peels if they’re done right - less sugar.
@@violaspencer5628 thank you. Most or many British Christmas desserts and cakes have alcohol in them. If not then it’s not unusual to have alcohol in creams and custards or even traditional British trifle. Our traditional Christmas puddings, cakes and mincemeat are all very similar in which they all have tons of fruit, nuts and alcohol but are all cooked very different. A proper Christmas cake like a pudding can be cooked in August. As long as you wrap them up properly then they last for many months. The pudding is usually boiled or steamed, the cake is oven baked and mincemeat is usually slowly cooked and stored in jars. The cake we feed every month with brandy or rum.
Hi Darren I watched a clip of The Crown yesterday and you were mentioned by Princess Diana who was making an omelette, and she said to Prince Charles - "Darren would write instructions on how to cook."
My Scottish great grandmother and grandmother called Brandy Butter - hard sauce. There was always a dollop on our mince pie.
My Canadian grandmother did the same! She also served it with hot brandy sauce. I loved them both.
My mom madeca non-alcoholic hard sauce forchercsteamed carrot pudding. @MMead-ti7bl
Those look divine. I'll have to make those for Christmas. I love mincemeat tarts but always have used Borden's NoneSuch Brandy and Rum recipe mince. But your recipe looks nice and simple and the brandy butter looks like a delicious addition.
Happy Christmas to Chef Darren McGrady and Winston too. Thank you for sharing this wonderfully easy mince tart recipe without chunks of fruit peel or suet. I will use this recipe for next year's Christmas tarts. I thoroughly enjoy watching your channel, there is always something new to learn. I learned tonight that baked tarts should sit in the tart pan until completely cold before attempting to transfer them to a cooling rack. Very wise!!🎄
My English Grandmother's homemade mincemeat--dating back to before 1900--which I still make, called for ingredients by the pound and did use meat or venison in the mixture which she then canned. I just freeze or refrigerate mine. The meat and suet add to the richness of the raisins, currents, apricots, orange and lemon peel and yes, a small amount of candied peel, which I also have made or bought at the after Christmas sales for the next year's batches. I use individual tart pans which makes them release easier than a muffin tin. Gran's recipe calls for gem pans which are now hard to find. Cheers.
Loved these recipes. I have to admit I love the candied peel in my mince pies & hot cross buns. Merry Christmas from Melbourne Australia. 🎅🏻🎄
So do I. I buy the whole peel which I cut up, so much nicer than the ready chopped stuff. Merry Christmas 'Down Under'.
@@dogsbody49 thank you. Merry Christmas to you also. We’ll have a pleasant 28C day! No snow here. 😂🇦🇺🌞
YOU ALSO EAT VEGIMITE 😂 CAN’T BLAME YA ON THE PEEL. MERRY CHRISTMAS!
@@MurderBong Hey nothing wrong with the old Vegimite lol 😂 Great on toast.
Always put the fruit mince with peel and hot cross buns yumm made these since I was a kid ... former Melbourne girl here livi g in banana country now
I'm the only one in my family that loves these pies, but I only eat them at Christmas. This video was such a joy to watch! Merry Christmas ❤🎄
My grandma made little tarts by just laying down the round of pastry, spooning on the mincemeat, folding it over and crimping the edges with a fork. Her pastry had poppyseeds in it. It's one of my fondest memories of Christmas on the central California coast!
My granddad was head chef in Bellamys restaurant in our parliament buildings in NZ. in the 1950s and sixties and we always had xmas dinner the engligh way . I love fruit mince pies. Thanks for the recipe.
I ate at Bellamy's a few months ago - it was run by restaurant Logan Brown. Very nice, quirky location, nice art.
You are the best demonstrated of how to follow a recipe. Marvelous video. No filler talk which I hate no loud music. I'm watching to learn not to be introduced to anyone's relatives etc. Great job. Will watch for you .thanks
I am Canadian 🇨🇦and grew up loving mince pies, although ours didn’t have the candied peel you detest! I have been experimenting with Christmas cake for years now, adding better nuts and fruit and yes, brandy. I intend to give this a go - looks amazing! Thank you so much for sharing and merry Christmas!🎄❄️☺️
Merry Christmas, J Q, from Vancouver Island!
Thanks a lot for your lovely recipes, memories and your joy in showing the food! And of course for Winston :-) Been following for more than two years and always happy to watch. It's always like a small trip to England. Merry Christmas from Germany
Please give this man his own cooking show on TV! He’s a joy to watch!
The minced pies look delicious. These were my father's favorite! Merry Christmas to you, your lovely family and of course Winston.
I lived at Sandringham and I love mince pies but I never knew that the mince was so easy to make...it used to take me hours! I will use that recipe now
How were you living there? I thought only royal family members stayed there
@@sarahbgln Hi Sandringham estate consists of several villages, I lived in Dersingham which is right next to the estate. The woods and park land are open to visitors for free as is the shop and butchers who sell royal
red poll cattle the meat of which is delicious. Public are allowed in the house for a fee only when the royals are not in
residence. We lived there for some time. The Queen had pick your own farms where we took the grandchildren
to pick apples plums etc. Just down the road was Anmer village where Prince William and Kathrine lived.
I now live in New Zealand but like to watch videos about the royal family.
t
@@janicewhite1113 you're brave for cooking pies in summer!
@@LindaC616 Linda you just have Christmas without mince pies ( mind you dinner is usually ham salad!)
@@janicewhite1113 👍
Thanks so much! I discovered mince pies in England in ‘67 and loved them, though shop bought and with custard! Now I’ll enjoy your gorgeous version!
I ADORE mince pies! Learned about them from my ex-boyfriend from London, and purchased from a British shop in Annapolis, Maryland. Now long gone, and cannot find them anywhere. I did order online a Christmas cake for Christmas, but was so badly disappointed with it, it must have sat in a warehouse for years and I got the very last one, hard as a rock and foul. Learned my lesson, never to buy food online!
Thank you Darren for this recipe, I will make and treasure all my remaining years on God's green earth. HAPPY OR MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!
You are so British. First in your taste in British desserts (puds) and now in your choice of language ("foul"). Americans should use the word "foul" more just like British people, it's the perfect word to describe something so accurately!
Try making a Christmas cake, I follow the Delia Smith recipe and it always turns out lovely. You can make it a few weeks before Christmas and ‘feed’ it brandy until you marzipan and ice it (traditionally on Christmas Eve). It’s v rich and will last so can be eaten well into January.
Walker's mini mince pies are available.
My Mother used my Grandmother's (born 1886) recipe for mincemeat, and in addition to all the fruit there was suet. I don't remember there being any nuts in it though. Grandma taught my Mom to put it all through a meat grinder so that nothing would be too big or too hard. My Mom would 'can' some for future use. I've got to find that recipe.
My memory exactly too.
I think you would have to have money to put nuts in a mincemeat recipe. When you look in the shops, the more expensive mince pies have nuts, the cheap ones don't.
@@okwrite7120 I wouldn't know. I've never had store-bought mincemeat!
@@joyfulsongstress3238 You should try the jars of Roberson Mincemeat, it is really good.
@@janetpendlebury6808 if I make mincemeat now, I will be doing my utmost to make it as low carb as possible. Needless to say, I won't be buying commercially prepared mincemeat.
So glad I found your channel you brought me back to when I lived in England as a child. Thank you for such a wonderful memory. Merry Christmas! Do you have a cookbook?❤
You should Google it because there is a cookbook by Darren Mcgrady.
Darren Has 2 books, Eating Royally and the Royal chef at home :)
Thank you for sharing this recipe Chef Darren. I am going to try it!❤
I've only had Mince pie once in my life. My mother-in-law was Canadian and she made it. It was delicious! So now I have your recipe. Thank you so much!
Oh golly! First the spice selection from you that is excellent. Now this wonderful recipe for our first big family get to gather in Florida! Thank you Darren and Merry Christmas from my family to yours!
I have always loved Minecraft pie since I was a child..I'm 62 now and it has been many years since I've had one.Most of the mincemeat pies in the USA are usually made with a very expensive ready made mincemeat that comes in a jar,ready to pour into prepared pastry.This looks marvelous,and perfectly do-able! The only addition I might make is that I would love to add some finely chopped pecans.The brandy sounds azing ,and I love your videos!
Mince pie was one of my Dad's favorites. Mom also made minced cookies. Almost the same as your pies, but like a stuffed cookie. I'm going to try your mincemeat recipe !!!
Stuffed cookies?? I think I need to try that
Yeah..me, too. What cookie dough was used for stuffed cookies, I wonder?
@@patlyons1225 I don't have Mom's recipe, but my brother should have it at our old house. I'll have to ask. I did find one the Food recipe site, Old-fashioned raisin filled cookies. Sounds and looks like Mom's. Mom had a 2 1/2 to 3" flower shaped cookie cutter.
My maternal grandmother made the most amazing mincemeat pies. They had beef in them. How I miss her and her great cooking.
I just made these and I think this is the best mince I have ever tasted. Additionally the pastry is so delicious and flaky…a definite winner! Happy Christmas Darren!
My Mom and her mother always made mincemeat with roast beef. Mom would cook up an extra large pot roast and use about half of the meat as a base for her wonderful mincemeat in maybe July. We would add currents, citron, oranges and other ingredients, put the stuff in canning jars and let the contents ripen for 6 months before making pies for Christmas. I have wonderful, warm, flavorful memories learning from TWO great cooks, Mom and Gram. Priceless. Merry Christmas to all and Peace. 🎀🎄🕊️😸
I miss our lovely Queen
My dad loved minced meat pies. He would have loved the brandy butter addition. I now like them after so many years of not. I will try theBB
Oh good Lord those have to be delicious! I can smell them now!
Thank you Darren. I could never eat fruit cake b/c of that awful candied fruit peeling but your recipe looks absolutely perfect.
Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones. Stay safe and see you next time. Regards from France
When I was a kid, about 5 or 6 years old, we had some mincemeat from somewhere, perhaps as a Christmas gift. I think my mother did not know what to do with it. I had a taste of it and said I liked it, even the candied citrus peel. I have a vague memory that she made a large pie from it, based on an American-style apple pie, and she didn't like it and after that mincemeat was banished. Since then, I've seen prepared mincemeat in the store but didn't buy it. Now I know how to make my own and use it. This is very educational. I've just discovered this channel and I like it a lot!
Try mixing mincemeat with grated apple for a lighter pie.
No suet? this recipe looks great, will have to remember it this fall when I'm trying to figure what to do with all the apples from my trees. Merry Christmas Winston! , and you too Darren.
Brandy butter sounds amazing!
It is. There is also rum butter.
Happy Christmas Darren. I enjoy your channel so much
Hi pretty lady. How are you doing today? And how is the weather over there?
Darren you're so lovely and fun to watch, thank you for putting some warmth in my heart this cold winters day.
Absolutely love mince pies, serve them every Christmas. Will have to try your royal recipe, Darren, it looks amazing! Happy Christmas to you!
Finally, a British Mincemeat Pie recipe with brandy butter. Married into a British family and wanted to serve a family favorite. Thanks!!
Hi pretty lady. How are you doing today? And how is the weather over there??
I found something I like in the 1980 copyright edition of the Fanny Farmer cookbook. It’s a recipe for a vegetarian mince meat. Yummy!
E.T.A. It is very similar to your recipe, except without the brandy, and can be used immediately.
Oh my goodness….those look so delicious! And look like something that could be made in a home kitchen.
There isn't any meat in this. The butter and the little bit of cream can be vegan butter and cream
All mincemeat for mince pies is vegetarian, no meat in it at all.
Thank you Darren. Love your Channel. Have a blessed Christmas. From the UK.
I love when Winston makes an appearance! My dad's favorite pie, not mine so much. But these sound so good, I may need to give them another try. ☺ Happy Holidays! 🎄❤💚
Mince pies with brandy butter! Lovely! I like the idea of making butter pats or nuggets. I have always plied it into a bowl. I’m going to start a new trend! Thanks for the great idea.
I found myself unconsciously opening my mouth to take a bite at the end of the video! Ha ha ha ha! I have never done that before. Happiest of holidays to you Darren and all your viewers.
Hi Winston!!!
What a beautiful recipe!
We used to teach about Christmas around the world in the 4th grade. I taught about Great Britain. I used to get up at 3 a.m. to make hundreds of mince pies for all of the children. Mine were not nearly as lovely as yours, but the kids loved them.
Which Great Briton in particular?
My family calls brandy butter hard sauce. Usually served with pumpkin pie.
My Mom made a "Hard Sauce" by whipping butter, powdered sugar and whiskey (hence the "hard" in Hard Sauce) together until really stiff. Then we'd chill the sauce and serve it with warmed wedges of Mincemeat Pie. Also wonderful on top of freshly baked Bread Pudding. The heat melts the butter and you have rivulets of hard sauce melting down the sides of the pudding...YUMMY! I just gained 5 pounds thinking about it 😄.
Happy 2023 everyone! Make it a delicious year.
Made 15 dozen mince pies this year for family and friends…it’s a tradition passed on from my mom, who I think one year made 60 dozen! My all time record was 32 dozen! I use shallow patty tins and about two teaspoons of mincemeat in each pie. I use only Robertsons mincemeat, and my pie crust doesn’t use butter or egg, but crisco (USA), powdered sugar on top. I honesty think if I didn’t make them there would be riots in my family!! Lol! Merry Christmas and happy new year!
I also use the Robertsons fruit mince, but I add 2/3 cup chopped walnuts to 1 jar of it. It takes the edge off the fruitiness which I find a little overpowering. 👍
Replace the cisco with butter. It's a whole level up.
Mince pie is my favorite. I've never had them like that but they look delicious! We would warm a slice of pie and put a little vanilla ice cream over it. Yum!
Love this version and will make them ASA).My mother was a WWII war bride and every year in the US she would make Christmas cakes, and mince pies at Christmas much like the one above, but we always put the hard sauce on the outside. Mother's friends would tell her not to buy them presents at Christmas-- just to make a Christmas cake and mince pies!. I have carried on her tradition and it gives me great pleasure to get this recipe for home-made mincemeat. Exxcellent!
“Pies” must be confusing to some not brought up with this Christmas delicacy. My mum made then every year and I’ve taken over. Usually make my own with port. They are really a tartlet and I have heard them called that. Made my usual batch this year, a bit tricky in Brisbane with the humidity. My niece, a chef, told me to put everything including the flour in the fridge before assembling the ingredients 😁🇦🇺🎄Merry Christmas to all.
Hello sir I used to work a Sandringham every year doing maintenance on the roofs lovely days lovely place have a great Christmas you and Winston.
Mincemeat pie was a staple in my family from just after Thanksgiving to the first week of January. Always liked it, but only made it from scratch once because just like my from-scratch, from freshly-roasted pumpkin pie, they were all used to the ones made from canned pumpkin and Nonesuch mincemeat and liked those better. I actually love the traditional mincemeat with the apples, currants, candied peel, vinegar, spices, etc. I do recall a white icing on some of them. So delicious. 🤷 Thanks for sharing your excellent recipes. Merry Christmas (& Happy Chanukah) Darren!
Oh wow, this is interesting because my grandma used to make mincemeat with venison. If not venison, it was whatever game my dad or grandpa came home with😂 They were always so good. We always knew when she was making them even before we got to the driveway. I miss those aromas.
I'm looking forward to trying your version. Thank you for sharing❤
Delicious
Hi pretty lady. How are you doing today? How is the weather there
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Vancouver Island BC Canada.
I recently watched what medieval cooking in England was like on Real Royalty. Darren has a great amount of cultural heritage in what he does. I'm rather shocked. Richard II loved his berries and nuts, and perhaps this is where he got a hint, because I'm sure the Royal Archivists know and this information would go on to the family.
Traditionally, the idea of Mince pies was said to have come back from the Middle East with the Crusaders. They noted the tendency to cook meats with fruits and sweet sauces (Sweetmeats). So when they returned, the Mince pies were born. They were originally shaped like the Manger, the sweet contents representing the sweetness and goodness of the Christ child.
Yes, mince pies and Christmas pudding are some of the oldest elements of Christmas foods eaten now in Britain and elsewhere.
This combo of meat (albeit the 'meat' is now no more than suet, and for the last 20 years or so probably even 'vegetarian suet'), dried fruit and spices has been used the world over for centuries. Think North African tagines of, say, lamb with dried apricots and spices.
In Britain, when so few fresh fruits were available in the winter months, dried fruit was an important food, but because they had to be imported they were quite expensive. So were spices, for the same reason.
So whereas during the winter cooks would use dried fruit sparingly (say a few currants scattered through a steamed suet pudding, going easy on the sweet spices too), Christmas dishes like this used a lot, to signify a very special occasion.
Grazie dall' Italia! Buon Natale!
Really enjoy your stories about the Queen and Prince Philip.
Missing them both terribly.
What a lovely video. So full of curiosities, two great recipes and tips.
I can’t imagine eating a mince pie without brandy butter! Have been doing that for over 50 years. If you really want decadence put a dollop of extra thick cream on top too 😊
I'm from austria,but I love those pasteries and wanted to know for yeahrs how the are made off.
Love it.Thanks
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year Chef McGrady! ^_^
Out of curiosity can the mincemeat filling here be used for other recipes?
Yes, if you have a date filled cookie recipe you can sub the mincemeat. Also use wonton wraps fold triangular shapes and deep fry.
Looking forward to this. Will be making the Royal Chocolate Birthday Cake for my Mom’s 95th Birthday next month. Love the Tart Tatin and whiskey steaks too. Cheers and so many thanks
Fantastic! I am off to get ingredients to make fresh mincemeat, thanks so much Darren, for this and for all the other great recipes you have shared with all of us this past year. Oh and what is the measurement for the sliced almonds? A very happy Christmas to you and yours. See you next year! 🎄🎇🥂
1/2 cup almonds :)
It's a pleasure to watch Darren: he's mastered his craft.
The peel is my favourite part! But then I love brussel sprouts too so i don't think my opinion counts 😂
We have elite tastebuds 😂👍
@@Solitude11-11 🤣
With this rainy stormhere those small pies looks so delicious And very heart warming with a cup of tea Thank you so much for the recipe. May God enriched you In health Peace & Love this coming New Year 2023💛
Prince Phillip sounds kind of accident prone lol. I remember the story about him almost eating the pie weights. This looks delicious and you made it look so simple. I will try this for my English hubby.
Where have you been hiding? I had been searching for a wonderful new (to me) cooking show, and stumbled on this quite by accident. So approachable and fun to watch. I made my first mince pies when I was a teen. Not a Christmas staple here in the US. Instead of individual ones, we tend to make large ones with lattice tops to be sliced into individual servings. I tried your recipe this year, but instead of making pies, I served the warmed filling over homemade vanilla ice cream ... heavenly.
While I always enjoy Darren McGrady's videos, I've noticed that the most recent ones are so DARK. There simply is not enough LIGHT. Everything is so muted, it makes the videos less enjoyable. Please fix this.
Chef Darren, wonderful tutorial on a truly delicious Christmas tree. Thank you for your continued cheerful and educational presentations.
Is it me or does it look like there's a dark film over the entire video?
Not just you.
Same here
Yes your right it's very dark strange!!
It's in hdr .so may b
I see a dark streak on the right of the screen.
I’m watching this delightful mince pie recipe in February! I can’t wait until Christmas to make them. So, I’m thinking of having Christmas in March!
It's amazing to me how totally out of favour anything with raisins is with younger people now. Most of them despise Christmas cake, Christmas pudding, mince pies . . . unbelievable!
You’re right, I do find it strange as I am 60 now and I loved all those things from when I was a little boy! We weren’t allowed to have mince pies until Christmas Day actually arrived so of course there was a tremendous buildup and the anticipation was very exciting. One savoured them as a great treat, as I still do today.
Thank you Chef! A blessed Christmas to you and yours!
Your look during the loading of the pastry bag is a great Christmas gift. Thank you!!!
My mince pies come directly out of a jar but I would love to make my own at home a few months in advance. Does this require a water bath to sterilize the jars? Brandy butter is the best on mince pie, but so is a marzipan layer on the crust. Thank you for the recipe!
You can sterilise your jars in the microwave these days.
Fabulous! We love mincemeat. Thank you!
I so admire you Darren for being able to cook for the Queen and other Royals. You must have nerves of steel as well as an encyclopaedic memory of who likes what. This coming from someone who once only....made 2 lemon cheesecakes from a packet. For a Church function. I put extra lemon juice in to make it less bland. It nearly fetched the enamel off everyone's teeth. We had such a lovely fun congregation that when we came to deserts, someone asked...'who made THIS?
My 7yr old son, also named Darren piped up before I could stop him....'mum did.....Grandad says she's a useless cook'.😄😄😄😄
The next 'do' I was asked to bring CRISPS!!!!!! We all had some laughter out of it for years.
@Darrenmcgrady1965 thanks so much Darren if you're the real mcoy and this is not a hoax. Can you imagine how I got it so wrong,? Neither can I, so I know you are not offering me a job. Or a Cordon Bleu course, but thank you for jogging my memory and the laughs. They are priceless. I have improved since and cannot tolerate lumpy gravy. Please keep up with your videos. God bless.x
Someone has suggested your very own cooking show Chef Darren. Now that would be another real treat because you are so tranquil to watch. And to think your food was served to Her Majesty...and other Royals. Will try some of your recipes and see if my son has forgotten. Happy New Year. Blessings.
I totally love this guy. Literally just discovered him. He has a kind gentle soul. Not sure if I like mince pie though, but I'd try it.
I enjoy the stories as much as the cooking.
Chef Darren you are special. The mince filling looks amazing with all those ingredients, thanks so much for this recipe! I would never have thought of the brandy butter.
I have got to try this tomorrow!
I truly enjoy your personality and the videos, take care.
Merry Christmas to you and the family, and of course, not forgetting Winston!
My mouth is watering. Thanks Darren. Very entertaining. 😊 New Zealand .
In Morocco they do a filo pastry pie with pigeon and dried fruit cinnamon and sugar. It’s quite a Christmassy flavour. I think you can also have it made with lamb. It also has icing sugar sprinkled over the top. Delicious and is probably similar to what our original mince pies tasted like…
I'm in the USA, my grandmother used to make mincemeat pie when I was a kid and I hated it. They were large pies, and were deep dish, had to be at least 2.5 inches high with the mincemeat. A few years ago a very good friend of mine who is a Brit, gave me a box of Walkers Minced Tarts. OMGosh!! They were fabulous! Now, I can't wait for our Thanksgiving to arrive, I go to World Market and buy boxes of Walker's tarts. Not only do I want my share, but they do make wonderful gifts. After seeing this, I think I'd like to try my hand at making them myself, though I'm not sure I could beat a Walkers!!
Your cooking is top! Merry Christmas / God Jul from Denmark
Perfect! Thanks. Today is 31st Dec, just using 2nd half of ingredients for another batch (1st batch made Christmas Day). Whole family said never buy store bought again. Delicious!
My maternal Grandmother,Ida Mary Swain Jackson, would make at least 2 of every pie. Mincemeat,pumpkin,apple,lemon meringue, I hope im not forgetting any. They were absolutely fabulous. The mincemeat...only a thin slice ,so rich. Her husband,Grandpop, was born and raised in Stoke on Trent,England,came here as a teen.
Thanks for the great demo and recipes! I can't wait to try them. I would have just rolled the brandy butter into a log and sliced them but your professional touch is so much better. Thanks again and Merry Christmas.
🎄 Very Warm Wishes For A Merry Christmas & Happy New Year 🥳 Gracious Thank You For Sharing Your Majestic Recipes 🥰
Oh my goodness Darren, you brought back memories I have of my Grandma who came from England and she baked some similar goodies for the family. I am resurrecting some of her recipes and introducing them to my kids to hopefully carry on the tradition. I really enjoyed watching you bake! Thank you!
My wife's great aunt Ursula made minced venison neck meat empanadas. She'd put dried apricots with nuts and raisins, plus dried cranberries in them for our Christmas Eve family gathering every year. My father-in-law and brother-in-laws would always make a b-line straight to them. I'd even put some in a plastic bag I always brought along. I wasn't happy unless I got at least 10 of them. They were so good that she'd win the "Best Pie" contest at the county fair just about every year at the county fair because they were so good. I think she put dark rum into them also. I loved devouring them with a couple hot buttered rum drinks. My mouth is watering just thinking about how much I miss them.