Surprise Christmas tarts

14 Jan

Almond paste is available from the baking section at supermarkets.

100g ready-made almond paste
12 sweet pastry tart cases
1 cup Christmas fruit mincemeat
1 sheet sweet pastry
1 egg white
1 teaspoon almond essence
½ cup icing sugar

Press a teaspoon of almond paste over the base of each tart case. Place fruit mincemeat on top. Heat tarts at 160 degrees C for five to six minutes. Cut 12 Christmas shapes from pastry sheet. Place on a baking paper-lined oven tray. Beat egg white. Add almond essence and icing sugar. Combine. Brush over the top of the pastry shapes. Bake at 200 degrees C for six to eight minutes. Place a Christmas pastry shape on top of each tart.

Makes 12



How would you Freestyle this recipe? Tell us your tips and you could win some great prizes.
Walk in progress - Weekly people review 2011

The young Christchurch promotions model determined to walk again after tragically losing her legs in the February earthquake is still coping with the ongoing complications ... More

You need to know

Sign up for our newsletters and get the latest in gossip, beauty and food sent direct to your inbox... Sign up now

Over the Teacups

My four-year-old grandson was at the supermarket with his mother when he exclaimed, “You’re buying something, Mummy, auntie is buying something – I want to buy something!” Mum replied, “You have to be big, have a wife, have a job, then you can buy things.” He replied, “I have a wife – Maia,” meaning his four-year-old friend. Mum said, “What about a job?” Master Four replied, “My job is having a wife!”

Robyn, Whangarei

Water you want?

I was in the car and asking Master Three what he wanted for Christmas. He said he was going to ask Santa for a water pistol. “And Nanny,” he added, “I’m going to ask for some water for our paddling pool.” Now that could be interesting!

Julie, by email

Bee gone

Master Three had his first bee sting recently. The incident broke his heart, but after many cuddles he came right. Later he said, “I never want to see another bee again. I don’t like bees any more, I only like flies.”

Gaileen, by email

Fraud with worry

My daughter warned me that “old people are being taken for a ride,” and that I shouldn’t engage in conversation with phone sales people. To this, Master Five piped up, “Nana can’t go on that ride, she’s old.”

Joseph’s Nana, Hamilton

... More
Write to us - Over the Teacups