18+ Christmas Mince Recipe Nigella You Won't Believe The Taste!
Published on: Apr 21, 2024
Nigella Lawson, the famous British chef and food writer, is no stranger to traditional Christmas dishes. Her delicious and easy-to-follow recipes have become a staple in many households during the holiday season. One of her most beloved recipes is her Christmas mince recipe, a sweet and savory treat that is perfect for the festive season. In this article, we will take a closer look at Nigella's version of this classic dish and learn how to make it at home.
Main Ingredients: Unsalted Butter, Cheddar, Large Egg Yolk, All Purpose
Start your beer can chicken recipe journey with these delicious and crispy cheddar crisps. Made with a mix of sharp and mild cheddar cheese, these crisps are perfect for snacking on while you wait for your chicken to cook on the grill. The cheesy goodness pairs perfectly with a cold beer and adds a fun twist to your standard appetizers.
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Potato Dumplings with Tamarind Chutney (Samosas)
Main Ingredients: Jaggery, Tamarind Concentrate, Ground Cumin, Black
If you're craving some Indian flavors, these potato dumplings with tamarind chutney are a must-try. These crispy and savory samosas are filled with a flavorful potato mixture and served with a tangy tamarind chutney. The combination of spices and textures will have your taste buds dancing and your guests asking for more.
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Homemade Naan Bread
Main Ingredients: Naan, Active Dry Yeast, Milk, Sugar, All Purpose Flour
No Indian meal is complete without some naan bread, and making it at home is easier than you think. This recipe for homemade naan bread yields soft and fluffy bread with a slight chew and a touch of sweetness. Serve it alongside your beer can chicken for a delicious and authentic Indian meal.
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Aloo Curry (Indian Potato Curry)
Main Ingredients: Medium Potatoes, Cooking Oil, Mustard Seeds, Cumin
This simple yet flavorful Indian potato curry is the perfect accompaniment to your beer can chicken. Made with a blend of spices and creamy coconut milk, this curry is rich and hearty. Serve it with some basmati rice or naan bread for a complete and satisfying meal.
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Chicken Korma
Main Ingredients: Vegetable Oil, Small Onions, Fresh Ginger, Garlic
If you're looking for a creamy and indulgent chicken dish, look no further than this chicken korma recipe. Made with a blend of spices, yogurt, and cashews, this dish is rich, flavorful, and perfect for a special occasion. Serve it with your beer can chicken for a feast fit for a king.
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Cheese Naan
Main Ingredients: All Purpose Flour, Yeast, Baking Powder, Sugar, Salt
Take your naan bread to the next level with this cheese naan recipe. Made with a combination of mozzarella and cheddar cheese, this naan is stuffed with gooey and melty cheese for an extra indulgent twist. It's the perfect side dish for your beer can chicken and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
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Fluffy Zucchini Bread
Main Ingredients: Zucchinis, Salt, Whole Wheat Flour, Instant Yeast
For a healthier side option, try this fluffy zucchini bread. Made with whole wheat flour and packed with grated zucchini, this bread is moist, flavorful, and a great way to sneak in some vegetables. Serve it alongside your beer can chicken for a well-balanced and tasty meal.
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Chicken Empanada
Main Ingredients: Ground Chicken, Garlic Powder, Paprika, Brown Sugar
If you're in the mood for some Latin American flavors, these chicken empanadas are a must-try. These savory pastries are filled with a delicious chicken and vegetable mixture and baked until golden and crispy. Serve them as an appetizer or side dish with your beer can chicken for a flavorful and satisfying meal.
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Indian Cabbage
Main Ingredients: Unsalted Butter, Cumin Seed, Jalapeno, Yellow Onion
This Indian-inspired cabbage dish is a great way to add some veggies to your beer can chicken meal. Made with a blend of spices and tender cabbage, this dish is simple yet flavorful. It's a great side dish to balance out the richness of your chicken and add some extra nutrition to your meal.
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Easy Vegan Beetroot Falafel
Main Ingredients: Beetroots, Sweet Potato, Small Red Onion, Garlic, Fresh
If you're looking for a vegetarian or vegan option, these beetroot falafels are a great choice. Made with beets, chickpeas, and a blend of spices, these falafels are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Serve them with some hummus and pita bread for a delicious and healthy meal.
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Avocado Hummus
Main Ingredients: Chickpeas, Medium Avocados, Tahini, Salt, Lemon Juice
For a twist on your standard hummus, try this avocado hummus recipe. Made with creamy avocado, chickpeas, and a touch of garlic, this dip is packed with flavor and nutrients. It's the perfect accompaniment to your beer can chicken and a great way to add some healthy fats to your meal.
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Indian Potato Curry
Main Ingredients: Medium Potatoes, Oil, Garlic Paste, Red Chili Powder
This simple and delicious Indian potato curry is a great addition to your beer can chicken meal. Made with a blend of spices and tender potatoes, this curry is easy to make and packed with flavor. Serve it with some rice or naan bread for a complete and satisfying meal.
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Cauliflower Cake
Main Ingredients: Cauliflower, Florets, Red Onion, Olive Oil, Rosemary
If you're looking for a unique and flavorful side dish, try this cauliflower cake. Made with roasted cauliflower, eggs, and cheese, this dish is hearty and delicious. It's a great way to add some veggies to your meal and impress your guests with something a little different.
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Easy Naan Bread Without Yeast
Main Ingredients: Self Raising Flour, Salt, Nigella Seeds, Natural
If you don't have yeast on hand, don't worry! This easy naan bread recipe requires no yeast and still yields delicious and fluffy bread. It's the perfect accompaniment to your beer can chicken and a great way to use up any leftover flour in your pantry.
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Lebanese Cheese Fatayer
Main Ingredients: Pizza Dough, Feta, Yogurt, Mozzarella, Parsley, Nutmeg
For a cheesy and savory side dish, try these Lebanese cheese fatayer. These triangular pastries are filled with a mixture of cheeses and herbs and baked until golden and crispy. They're a great addition to your beer can chicken meal and a fun way to incorporate some Middle Eastern flavors.
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Pide
Main Ingredients: Flour, Water, Dry Active Yeast, Sugar, Salt
This Turkish flatbread is a great accompaniment to your beer can chicken and a delicious way to add some international flavors to your meal. Made with a blend of spices and filled with a delicious meat and cheese mixture, this pide is sure to be a hit with your guests.
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Bombay Potato - A spicy Indian potato curry with...
Main Ingredients: Potatoes, Ghee, Sunflower Oil, Panch Phoran, Equal
For a spicy twist on your standard potato dish, try this Bombay potato recipe. Made with a blend of spices and tender potatoes, this dish is full of flavor and a great way to add some heat to your beer can chicken meal. Serve it with some rice or naan bread for a complete and satisfying meal.
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Puri (Puffed Fried Indian Bread)
Main Ingredients: All Purpose Flour, Oil, Nigella Seeds, Salt
No Indian meal is complete without some puri, and this recipe for puffed fried Indian bread is easy and delicious. Made with a simple dough and fried until golden and crispy, these puris are the perfect accompaniment to your beer can chicken and a great way to add some crunch to your meal.
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Ginger Coconut Sweet Potato Stew with Kale and Lentils
Main Ingredients: Coconut Oil, Onion, Dried Chili Flakes, Ground
If you're looking for a hearty and healthy side dish, try this ginger coconut sweet potato stew. Made with a blend of spices, creamy coconut milk, and nutritious sweet potatoes, this stew is packed with flavor and nutrients. Serve it alongside your beer can chicken for a well-rounded and satisfying meal.
No Indian meal is complete without some chutney, and this Indian mango chutney is a must-try. Made with fresh mangoes, spices, and a touch of sweetness, this chutney is the perfect accompaniment to your beer can chicken and a great way to add some extra flavor to your meal.
The History of Christmas Mince
The Origins
Mince pies have been a part of British Christmas celebrations since the 16th century, and the tradition of serving them on Christmas dates back even earlier to the medieval times. Originally, these pies were filled with meat, spices, and fruits, symbolizing the gifts that the three wise men brought to baby Jesus. Over time, the recipe evolved and the meat was replaced with suet, a type of fat, making it suitable for vegetarians. Today, the filling is made of dried fruits, spices, and sometimes brandy, and is commonly known as "mincemeat."
Nigella's Take on the Classic Recipe
In her Christmas mince recipe, Nigella stays true to the traditional ingredients of mincemeat but adds her own twist to it. She uses a combination of dried fruits such as raisins, cranberries, and apricots, along with almonds, apples, and orange zest. The mixture is then cooked with brown sugar, butter, and spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice, giving it a rich and fragrant flavor. Nigella also adds a splash of brandy, which adds a boozy and festive touch to the mincemeat.
Making Nigella's Christmas Mince Recipe
The Mincemeat
To make Nigella's Christmas mince, start by combining all the dried fruits, almonds, and apples in a large bowl. In a separate pan, melt the butter and add the brown sugar, spices, and orange zest. Let it cook for a few minutes before adding it to the fruit mixture. Finally, stir in the brandy and let the mincemeat cool down before using it in the pies. You can also make the mincemeat ahead of time and store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a month.
The Pastry
To make the pastry for the mince pies, you can use store-bought shortcrust pastry or make your own using Nigella's recipe. Roll out the pastry and use a round cutter to cut out circles for the base of the pies. Fill each circle with a spoonful of the mincemeat and top it with another circle of pastry. Brush the top with egg wash and bake in a preheated oven for 15-20 minutes until golden brown.
In Conclusion
Nigella's Christmas mince recipe is a perfect blend of traditional and modern flavors, making it a hit among both young and old. The sweet and tangy mincemeat, encased in buttery pastry, is a treat for the taste buds and will surely be a showstopper on your Christmas table. So why not give Nigella's recipe a try this holiday season and add a touch of her expertise to your festive celebrations. Happy cooking!
