Off topic Well that’s part of Christmas done for my freezer.

[medway-lady]

I’ve been busy and will they last long enough for the freezer as my friend and her husband are on the way and son and family later on. I’ve got no real hope they will but the rest of the pastry is in the freezer for later and yes I made flaky pastry. Our lovely postman has had two mince pies already. lol

[Fruitandnutcase]

They look great but I’m sure they will turn out just to be the first instalment of your Christmas baking. 😉

[medway-lady in reply to Fruitandnutcase]

Probably xxxx

[MadBunny]

Well done! I know what you mean- too good to resist 😊

[medway-lady in reply to MadBunny]

Xxx

[Stills]

Yummy

[medway-lady in reply to Stills]

Xxx

[Boxerlady]

You MADE flaky pastry?? Wow! 👏

[medway-lady in reply to Boxerlady]

It’s actually easy, they make it look hard. I make it all in advance and freeze so I made all the pastry over 2 months ago. It’s a good tip and once made then it takes little time to roll and bake. I do Gary Rhodes shortcrust which never fails and Dehlia’s flaky. Xxx

[Boxerlady in reply to medway-lady]

I remember watching my Mum make flaky pastry years ago; I learnt lots of my cooking from her and still enjoy cooking - and reading cookery books and watching cookery programmes - but I haven't made shortcrust pastry for a while and have never made flaky pastry. Maybe I'll give it a go when I've got some free time 😁I do lots of batch cooking for the freezer so maybe pastry will be my next project 😉 There's only the two of us so I try not to make too much sweet stuff but have made shortbread and almond slices recently and frozen them so we can have a few at a time so could do the same with pastry 🤔

Now you've got me reminiscing about the jam roly poly Mum used to make 😋🤤😂

[medway-lady in reply to Boxerlady]

That’s sounds lovely I have a Magimix so forshortcrust I just add 8 oz flour ( I use 5 plain and 3 self raising) 5 oz fat( 3 butter 2 lard) wiz fora few seconds and add 1 egg yolk and 1 oz water, wiz and it’ll come together in seconds then either rest and use or freeze. It never fails and Magimix is very useful for all sorts of things. Flaky is a bit more complex so only a Christmas thing. I just find with RA the freezer is my best friend when chums or family drop in. And I’m too mean to buy shop bought quiche, scones sausage rolls etc when I still can make my own. But unlike my mum I have to weigh stuff, she never did.Almond slices and shortbread sounds super and something nice on a cold winter day with a cup of tea is a recipe for feeling warm and cosy. Xxx

[Amnesiac3637]

Respect! I’m in awe of anybody who is that far ahead of the game! 😄👍

[Kati66]

They look delicious 😋

[secrets22]

Absolutely nothing like home made mince pies, i bought some from Tesco and Lidl and they are awful, they claim to be all butter, but you could've fooled me,they are dreadful, compared to making your own ,and so i will be making my own again this year.

[medway-lady in reply to secrets22]

Dehlia does a recipe for excellent mincemeat and it’s very easy. Only apple dried fruit, and suet with booze and sugar grated and slow closed overnight in oven. I’ve put the recipe for shortcrust above by Gary Rhodes so it’s an old one but it never fails and tastes great. I think when home made they freeze well and just hit the spot when needed. lol xx

[MadBunny in reply to secrets22]

Couldn't agree more. I've never found a shop bought mince pie I like- even the more 'high end' ones😝

[Durrell]

Ahh well done, you have made quite a few so you may have half a dozen left for Xmas?? but I think the extra pastry will be used up no problem. I’ve made my puds & my cake (now feeding with brandy🥃).. I was thinking of making a few mince pies to enjoy to the run up, as I quite fancy one, usually never have any until Xmas day & thereafter.. well done they look delicious 🎄

[medway-lady in reply to Durrell]

You can feed me with rum too and it’s very satisfying eating something made with love and care,I’ve only 5 left as my son took a few home and his idea of a few is different to mine it appears. lol my 3 year old granddaughter even ate one. But the scones he left as doesn’t like walnuts and they made it into the garage freezer. I’ve not made a cake as my friends daughter makes them as a business and does a great job so although I could and probably should , I don’t but order from her. I do do a Yule log and always cheese straws etc. I made a pud back last month on a rainy day. It’s just lovely to smell Christmas isn’t it? Xxx

[Green230461 in reply to Durrell]

Feeding my cake with Glenmorangie …….very thirsty Mary Berry version.

[medway-lady in reply to Green230461]

lol I know what you mean. Xxx

[K3-2]

WOW ! I used to bake a lot but sore hands and fatigue plus a full time challenging job has put paid to that . Feeling inspired by you so might give a cake a whirl 😁

[medway-lady in reply to K3-2]

Get a Magimix if you can only need to push a button and it does all sorts and makes life so much easier. I do have a Kitchen Aid but pastry made in it is like rubber but the Magimix is brilliant and by making in bulk it’s always ready for defrosting and use. I used to work fulltime but found baking very relaxing after a fraught week. Now retired it’s just fun. Xxx

[Creakywrists]

I use my Magimix every day, pastry, biscuits, scones, crumbles and it also chops, slices, blends and grates everything! I’d probably starve if I didn’t have one.

[medway-lady in reply to Creakywrists]

Yes a great investment and mine is an old one going strong after 20 or so years. Now they come in great colours I saw red, silver and black in John Lewis the other day. Red looked really good ! I’ve made crisps too. I’d like a new one but can’t justify the expense as mine lives in the cupboard and still going strong. Maybe I’ll buy a red one though as it did look really cool and leave out on the work surface.

[Pulfs]

😋

[Inanotherlife]

They look delicious, I could just eat one!

[medway-lady in reply to Inanotherlife]

I’ll make some for the local NRAS meeting next month. Xxx

[Runrig01]

They look wonderful. I’m looking forward to my daughter coming home for Xmas, she makes wonderful flaky pastry using lard. I always use it on my steak pie at new year. Enjoy 😋👍

[MadBunny in reply to Runrig01]

My mum amazing made the most amazing shortcrust pastry using half lard, half margarine. Sad to say I've never acquired the knack of making pastry . But then, I don't use lard. Maybe I should give it a try.

[medway-lady]

Lard is an overlooked ingredient, I remember Lardy cake! Xxx

[TheMarfs in reply to medway-lady]

Here in Dorset, the local bakeries sell lardy cakes all year round!

[medway-lady in reply to TheMarfs]

Crikey I’d be 50 stone if they did here. Xxx

[Green230461]

How great to have a friendly postie!Ours is called Doug and he shoves parcels under the fence!☃️