Christmas Mince Pies

300 years ago, a mince pie would have been a huge dish called “Christmas pye” composed of “ox tongue, chicken, eggs, sugar, raisins, lemon and orange peel, and spices.” Over the years, the pies grew smaller and the meat content reduced, until they became a sweet mixture of suet, spices and dried fruit that had been steeped in brandy. This filling was put into little pastry cases that were covered with pastry lids and then baked in an oven – today’s mince pie. It is said that when the mixture is stirred clockwise, you can make a wish for the coming year.