~Off Topic Thread~

[elmcitymaven 9,711]

Julez, here's what I did this year. I bought a box of chilled (not frozen) pie crusts. You can usually find these in the chiller section at the supermarket, often near the butter and always near the Pillsbury crescent rolls in a tube. I used a jar of Cross & Blackwell mincemeat and a muffin tin from the 99 cent store. You take the two packets of dough out of the box (but not out of the cellophane) and let them come to room temperature, about 20 minutes. Then use a round cookie cutter or a large mug to cut out bases to the pies. They need to fit in the tins and have a bit of dough above the line. Fill each one with mincemeat. Cut out tops to the pies by using a smaller round stencil/cutter. Put each on top of a pie; crimp each one closed and cut steam holes in each. Bake in a 350F oven for about 25-30 mins, until brown. Makes at least a dozen pies.

No defrosting, no rolling (unless you reuse scraps of dough). Just cut, fill, crimp and bake. Easy peasy!

Edited December 31, 2008 by elmcitymaven

[*julez* 124]

Oh, maven that is the best tip yet!! No baker am I!! I will make them for a new year treat for Griff!

[VisaJourneyLady 33]

oh man, does the chilled pre-made dough beat my food processer dough. sucks.... *skulks off* *mumbles*....

[Laura+Tom 2]

Thanks rocks, I need to swot up on the lingo.

has it been a while since you last visited? i start to forget the different words after a while too.

I was last in the US in August, but because Tom was in the UK for a few years I always use UK words for things with him as he usually has an idea of what I mean. But words have slowly been creeping in such as trunk, and cart (instead of trolley)

[Bill and Hayley 0]

I dont know if anyone else feel like this but im glad the christmas period is nearly over, my emotions are like a roller coaster at this time of year, i miss my family back in the uk so much. But this year i only have 2 weeks to wait, then i have my 18 year old daughter coming over for 10 weeks to stay with me, will be the first time shes travelled alone, so will be a big step for her....im so excited.

[*julez* 124]

oh man, does the chilled pre-made dough beat my food processer dough. sucks.... *skulks off* *mumbles*....

I am sure your crust is far better than the pillsbury stuff, HOWEVER, its much easier to go buy stuff ready made. And when it comes to baking, I am all about the ready made! I will cook an elaborate meal, but the baking for me is almost always a flop.

[*julez* 124]

I dont know if anyone else feel like this but im glad the christmas period is nearly over, my emotions are like a roller coaster at this time of year, i miss my family back in the uk so much. But this year i only have 2 weeks to wait, then i have my 18 year old daughter coming over for 10 weeks to stay with me, will be the first time shes travelled alone, so will be a big step for her....im so excited.

Wow, Haley! Long time no see! *hugs* Its really good to see you.

My husband would totally agree with you. Being away from the UK is much harder for him around the holidays, too. How nice that you and your daughter will have a nice, long visit together. Enjoy it, but don't be such a stranger here!

[Bill and Hayley 0]

Thanks Julez Yea i know its been a while, hope everythings good with you. Ive just been adjusting to life here in the US of A.

[NickyMcMillan 0]

Hope you all enjoy whatever your doing this hogmanay! All the very best for 2009. See yous next year!!

[*julez* 124]

Happy New Year Nicky!

[Jeraly 4]

You know, I couldn't even find pre-made puff pastry so on Jeremy's recommendation we used something he said was the same and it wasn't. Not. Happy

Sausage rolls were still yummy but a bit on the soggy side

AhhH!! This thread gets closed today! Who knows if it is going to go by EST or...??

[StillThePrettiest 3]

...or if they'll even remember?

I had a devil of a time finding frozen pastry too... not counting the pack that was in my freezer when I got here ...but found some filo at a fantastic import store the other day so things are looking up in that regard

[*julez* 124]

You can get phyllo all over the place here, and puff pastry sheets.

[VisaJourneyLady 33]

GMT would be in 1 hour. We could do it then

[elmcitymaven 9,711]

No way! PST all the way, to take into account the last UK VJers to see in the New Year.