If I read the phrase ‘New Year, New You’ one more time I might just scream. What is wrong with the old/current me? I mean obviously there’s room for improvement in all of us, that’s what makes us human. I do not however feel the need to suddenly ban sugar, fat and carbs from my diet and start substituting rice for cauliflower and using avocados in my brownies.
So I bring you Tangzhong Mincemeat Chelsea Buns, because I expect that like me, you probably have a leftover jar of mincemeat lurking in the back of your cupboard, keeping a Christmas pudding company and you’re thinking what can I make with that?
This is a revamped version of my tangzhong chelsea buns and I’ve added a drizzle of water icing to sweeten them up a bit more. Any shop bought mincemeat will be fine in this recipe, you can always add a splash of alcohol or water to loosen up the mincemeat if you need to. You can also use my homemade mincemeat to make this recipe.
I’ve added two quantities of mincemeat for these tangzhong mincemeat chelsea buns, it depends how much you like mincemeat. The first amount will be a generous helping of mincemeat, but if you really enjoy it, or you want your buns to be bursting with fruit then add the larger amount.
Begin by making the tangzhong, place the milk and bread flour in a saucepan and whisk it gently until it thickens and reaches 65 degrees.
Scrape the tangzhong into a bowl and cover it with a layer of clingfilm so that a skin doesn’t form. Leave to cool to room temperature.
Put the milk, butter and vanilla into a small saucepan and cook over a low-medium heat until all the butter has melted. Set aside until just lukewarm.
To make the dough, put the flour, caster sugar, salt and yeast into the bowl of a food mixer and fit it with a dough hook.
Make a well in the middle of the flour mixture, then pour in the milk mixture, the tangzhong and the egg.
Mix the dough on a low speed until it starts to come together, then knead on a medium speed for about 10 minutes or until the dough comes away from the side of the bowl.
Place the dough in a large lightly greased bowl and cover with cling film. Leave it to rise for about 1-1½ hours or until it has doubled in size.
Tip the dough onto a lightly floured work surface and use a rolling pin to roll into approximately a 40cm x 50cm rectangle.
Take 300g of the mincemeat and stir it to loosen a little, spread the mincemeat over the dough and spread it in an even layer. If you think you need more mincemeat then use the rest to fill in any gaps, but this can be quite rich, so use the smaller amount if you're not a mincemeat fiend.
Roll up the dough into a cylinder along the long edge, keeping the spiral tight. Using a sharp knife, cut into 12 even slices.
Arrange the buns in the base of a 20cm x 30cm non-stick baking tin, with the spiral facing upwards. Cover the tin loosely with cling film, set aside and allow the buns to prove for 45-60 minutes until risen and touching each other.
While the buns are proving, heat the oven to 180°C/160°C fan/gas 4. Once proved, bake the buns for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown. Remove the buns from the oven and allow to cool.
Sift the icing sugar into a bowl and add 2 tbsp of water and stir the icing, if needed add more water, but you want quite a thick consistency. Drizzle or pour the icing over the buns and use as much or as little as you want, you don't need to use all the icing. Tear off each bun as required and eat while still warm or at room temperature.
Start by tasting it, then add extra flavours that suit: nearly always add a little freshly grated lemon or orange zest, extra spice, extra brandy or rum and some cherries or nuts.
Heat a pile of mincemeat in a pan with sugar, orange and lemon juice, orange peel, half a cinnamon stick and brandy, wait for it to thicken and then stir in some whipping cream.
Store-bought mincemeat can contain alcohol, and if it doesn't, here's my tip: add some. It will kick your mince pies up to the next level. Rum or brandy go especially well with the other ingredients.
If I were in a mince pie emergency situation and had to use shop-bought mincemeat then I am sure it could be very nicely pepped up by adding in a few chopped apples, some spices or a slug of plum brandy.
Stirring the mincemeat was quite an event, and English tradition dictates that it should only be stirred clockwise. Stirring the mincemeat anti-clockwise would lead to bad luck and poor fortune in the coming 12 months.
The containers you use must be scrupulously clean, so I like to use jars straight out of the dishwasher or I sterilise them in the oven. What is this? If you store it in a cool dark place the mincemeat will last for up to 1 year unopened. Once open store in the refrigerator and use within 3=4 months.
By the 18th century it was more likely to be tongue or even tripe, and in the 19th century it was minced beef. It was not until the late Victorian period and early 20th Century that mince pies dropped the meat and had all fruit fillings (albeit with suet). Even today there are traditions associated with mince pies.
Place the minced meat in a bowl then add some milk and use your hands to combine together well. As you mix, you will feel the meat becoming softer and any lumps just melt away. To cook, just melt a little butter in a frying pan and add the meat and milk mixture.
Remove from the heat. If you like boozy mincemeat, add about ¼ cup brandy or rum. Let cool and stir in the nuts, if you're using them. Store in a sealed container or jars in the fridge for up to two weeks, or freeze for six months.
Unfortunately the company who bought it has decided to discontinue! Get it while you can-the cookie recipe is on the box and they're awesome. Sadly you cannot replicate the cookies properly using the jarred minced meat/they do NOT come out well. Pricey but worth it!
The mincemeat filling we know and love today includes ingredients like finely chopped dried fruits, candied orange, spices, sugar and nuts. Its name dates back to 15th century England when mincemeat would actually contain meat, unlike today's version found in our beloved modern mince pies.
While savoury mince is usually thickened with flour, the secret to our favourite savoury mince recipe is the addition of a couple of tablespoons of Gravox. This not only thickens the mixture but adds an extra beefy flavour.
For More Tender Ground Meat, Grind It After Cooking Too
And it's easy enough to get: Just cook your meat with seasonings as you usually would, then cool the mixture and transfer it to a food processor. Pulse it together to your desired consistency and you'll have a much more tender and hom*ogenous filling.
Instructions: 180°C / Fan 160°C / Gas 4 8 mins Can be eaten warm or cold. Remove outer packaging. Place pies (still in foil cases) on a baking tray in the centre of a pre-heated oven for 8 minutes. Leave to stand for 3 minutes after heating.
Versions containing animal fats should be cooked before use but those including butter can be used as they are, perhaps stirred into an ice cream mixture. You could even serve an especially tasty version with whipped or clotted cream as a sumptuous festive topping for warm scones.
Introduction: My name is Eusebia Nader, I am a encouraging, brainy, lively, nice, famous, healthy, clever person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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