This is the month when I usually do a trial bake of the christmas mince pies . Remember them? Mmmm, mince pies...... But this year, my available bench space is 37cm x 47cm. Not really big enough to be mixing and rolling out pastry. I just know if I try, I'll be banging my elbow against the wall with each push of the rolling pin. I have other options.... I could buy one of those roll-up plastic pastry rolling sheets in a big enough size to cover the hotplates and hope it's sturdy enough to stay level while I work. (unlikely and it's a bit too high for comfort) I could clear off the coffee table , get down on my knees, ( ouch ), and roll the pastry there. I could move the whole operation out to the back porch where my dining table now lives. It's half covered in stuff, but I can move that temporarily. One way or another, I will be making the mince pies. Because the bought ones just can't compare.
