It’s that time of the year again. Time to get out your dancing shoes, pop the bubbles and stuff your face with all things sweet… pure heaven, writes Evie Waxman.
DECONSTRUCTED MINCE PIES
The issue I have around Christmas is whilst I want to eat everything in sight, I also want to try and stay as trim as possible.
So, let me introduce to you my favourite creation to date – MINCE PIE GRANOLA SLICE.
One that is, in fact, completely free from gluten, dairy, wheat and refined sugar. This could be your secret to indulging guilt-free this Christmas.
There’s always something special about eating cake you know has been home-made.
We will make this treat in 3 simple steps. So, get your shopping list and pen to the ready, because you will need:
INGREDIENTS
Base:
– 200g GF OATS
– 200g GROUND ALMONDS
– 7 Tbsp. COCONUT OIL (melted)
– Himalayan salt (sprinkle)
“MinceMeat” Layer:
– 150g RAISINS (I used Jumbo flame from Unicorn Grocery)
– 100g MEDJOOL DATES
– 100g of APRICOTS
– 3 Tsp CINNAMON
– ½ tsp GROUND GINGER
– 3 ½ Tbsp. ORANGE JUICE
– ORANGE ZEST (I use a whole orange)
Topping :
Toasted granola (I made my own but you can buy some if you want to make it easier).
150g GF RAW OATS
100g CHOPPED ALMONDS
100g MIXED SEEDS (I used sunflower and pumpkin seeds)
50g COCONUT SHAVINGS
3 Tbsp. COCONUT NECTAR
½ Tbsp. Vanilla extra
Himalayan Salt (Sprinkle)
METHOD:
Base: Line a bottomless square tray (I used a 25cm square one from Lakeland).
- Using a blender, add in all of the ‘base ingredients’ and simply blend! This should only take 30 seconds to bind together.
- The mixture is meant to be quite dry but, as long as it’s holding when pressed in place (use back of spoon and press in place in the blender bowl), it is fine to add in as the first layer to the tray.
- Press base mixture all in so it’s equally spread and firmly smoothed over.Fruit Layer:
- Using a clean blender, add in all the ‘mincemeat ingredients’ and again press ‘blend’. Blend again for another 30 seconds, no more. If you over blend, you won’t get the chunky bits of fruit that you want and expect in mince pies.
- Spoon out the mixture into the tray and smooth over the base equally.
Topping: Turn on the oven to 180 degrees while you start your prep.
- Add all ingredients into a mixing bowl and toss together so that the nectar is covering all the mix and will toast nicely!
- Add on to a lined baking tray and place in the oven for 8-10 minutes.
- Once toasted and golden, sprinkle all over your mince pie creation and press gently so it sticks to the fruit layer!
- Leave in fridge for half an hour to set and cut into squares when ready to eat!
Enjoy making these delicious and nutritious deconstructed mince pie slices and please send me any photos of your version.
