Vegetarian 
Fruit
Apples (Pommes)
An easy recipe for Vegetarian No-Suet Mincemeat Pinwheels, lighter than mince pies for a Christmas buffet table. Prepare them in advance and have some holiday party food ready at the last minute.
Mincemeat always causes confusion with French friends (especially my husband, who can never get his head around this one), as they tend to think it’s savoury and filled with minced beef. ‘Mince’ in mincemeat goes back to the Middle Ages, apparently, and refers to something being chopped up finely. In this case, dried fruits.
It’s true that beef suet is still traditionally used for mincemeat with the dried fruits and spices but I have to admit that I prefer it without the suet and replaced with butter.
This recipe uses the No-Suet Vegetarian Mincemeat Recipe. It’s so quick and easy to make plus there’s no need to mature it for long.
Puff Pastry Mincemeat Pinwheels
Pinwheels perhaps look difficult to make but they’re so quick and easy – especially as I buy ready-made puff pastry (always pick ‘pure butter’). Pinwheels are great for savoury apéritif bites using pesto or tapenade. Make them with this nettle and toasted walnut pesto.
However, this no-suet mincemeat was just perfect for an impromptu Christmas party for a few teenagers coming around for a break from exam pressure last weekend and to get into the festive spirit.
Freezing Puff Pastry
The best part of this recipe is that it’s easy to prepare the first three steps in advance (even 2-3 weeks in advance!) and have it already rolled at the ready in the freezer (but ensure that you’re not using frozen puff pastry in that case. NEVER re-freeze defrosted puff pastry). When ready to use, just leave it out for a few minutes so that it’s easier to cut into slices with a sharp knife – then bake!
How to Make Puff Pastry Mincemeat Pinwheels
Just spread on thinly, roll her up, chill then cut with a good knife – they don’t need to look perfect, as they’ll spread out and pretty up in the oven!
No-Suet Mincemeat Pinwheels
Servings : 6 people
Description
If you're looking for a much lighter version of mince pies this Christmas, then here's your answer: Mincemeat Pinwheels. What's more, they're no-suet mincemeat pinwheels so suitable for vegetarians.
Ingredients
- 250 g (9oz) Pure Butter Puff Pastry (ready-made) (ensure it's thinly rolled)
- 180 g (6oz) Vegetarian Mincemeat (see recipe link in NOTES or good quality shop-bought)
- 2 tbsp apple or orange juice
- 2 tsp icing (confectioner's) sugar optional, for dusting
Instructions
- Using a food processor or a hand blender, liquidise the mincemeat adding the apple (or orange) juice in order to make it easily spreadable.
- Unroll the chilled puff pastry, keeping it on its parchment paper. Spread on a THIN (this is important, otherwise it could be messy later!) layer of mincemeat evenly over the pastry.
- Carefully roll the pastry over on itself, then wrap up the thick roll in the parchment paper and chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. I chill it in the freezer for 15 minutes, which makes it so much easier to cut later. At this point you can leave it in the freezer for up to 3 weeks (As long as you cut slices quickly, there's no problem about putting the spiral log in the freezer straight after it. Seal in a zip-lock freezer bag).
- Preheat oven to 200°C/400°F/Gas 6/180°C fan.
- Using a good sharp knife, cut slices of about 2 cm and place on a baking sheet covered in parchment/baking paper or a Silpat. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until golden.
- Leave to cool for 5 minutes, transfer to a wire rack and dust with icing sugar.
Notes
Recipe for no-suet mincemeat.
TIP: If using frozen puff pastry, defrost first then simply chill it in the fridge before slicing the pinwheels and bake - do not re-freeze. Otherwise, it's so handy to freeze fresh puff pastry UNCOOKED for up to 2-3 weeks, as the recipe specifies above.
I just love this idea, Jill! Trader Joe’s has all butter puff pastry back in stock (this time without sugar-who puts sugar in puff pastry?!) If I’ve made enough mincemeat, we’ll have to give these a try!
Thanks and agreed – normally there’s no sugar in puff, that’s why I use it so much for my savoury nibbles like this, Christina.