Alison Lohman's Carrot and Star Anise Soup

Celebs' Favorite Holiday Dishes

Idina Menzel
Idina Menzel has one of her rare non-singing roles in Disney’s new holiday comedy hit, Enchanted, as Patrick Dempsey’s real-world girlfriend. Menzel was nominated for a Tony Award for her role as Maureen in the Broadway musical Rent, a role she recreated in the big-screen version (which also stars her husband Taye Diggs). Idina won legions of new fans and the Tony Award for Best Actress in the Broadway hit, Wicked, as Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West.

As she told Fandango.com during the Enchanted press junket, “I love mince pie, especially with figs. When we were performing Wicked in London, everyone was serving mince pie around the holidays. To this day, it reminds me of my wonderful time there.”

This recipe, created by Diane Brown, author of The Seduction Cookbook, offers a variation of the classic English dish, which usually includes small pieces of chopped meat. This updated, meatless version combines winter fruits and warming spices. To save time, would-be chefs can skip the crust preparation and use store-bought crust.

Mince Pie with Apples and Figs

Crust

Granny Smith Apples
  • 2 ½ cups all purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) chilled unsalted butter, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 8 tablespoons (about) ice water

Filling

  • 3 ½ pounds Granny Smith apples (about 6), peeled, cored, chopped
  • 1 cup dried black mission figs, stems removed and chopped into ½-inch pieces
  • ½ cup golden raisins
  • ½ cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
  • ¼ cup unsulfured (light) molasses
  • ¼ cup brandy
  • ¼ cup butter, cut into ½-inch pieces
  • 6 tablespoons orange marmalade
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
  • ¼ teaspoon ground allspice
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • Pinch of salt

Directions

For Crust

  1. Blend flour, salt and sugar in processor.
  2. Add butter; using on/off turns, process until butter is cut into 1/4-inch pieces.
  3. Add 6 tablespoons ice water.
  4. Using on/off turns, blend until dough comes together, adding more water by tablespoonfuls if dough is dry.
  5. Gather into ball; divide into 2 pieces.
  6. Flatten pieces into disks; wrap in plastic.
  7. Chill at least 30 minutes and up to 1 day

For Filling

  1. Combine filling ingredients in a large saucepan or Dutch oven.
  2. Cook over low heat until apples are tender and mixture is thick, stirring occasionally, for about 40 minutes.
  3. Cool mixture. (Can be made up to a week ahead, cool completely, cover and refrigerate.)

Position rack in center of oven; preheat to 400°F. Roll out 1 dough disk on lightly floured surface to 13- to 14-inch round. Transfer to 9-inch-diameter glass pie dish; spoon in filling. Roll out second dough disk to 12-inch round; using ruler as aid, cut dough into 3/4-inch-wide strips. Lay strips over filling, spacing 3/4 inch apart. Lay additional strips at right angle to first strips, forming lattice. Trim overhang to 3/4 inch. Fold dough edge and strip ends under; crimp to seal. Brush dough strips with yolk mixture.

Bake pie until crust is golden and filling is bubbling, about 50 minutes; cool.

Back to Hollywood Cooks Main Page »