Zodiac Kitchen

Pisces

February 19 - March 20

The emotional water sign of the Fishes is ruled over by both charitable Jupiter and unbounded Neptune, god of the sea. The two fish of this sign swim in opposite directions, bound by a cord. One represents spirituality, the other the material world, and Pisceans try to reconcile one with the other. Compassionate and all-embracing, they are also determined to succeed in matters they believe in and are happiest with a 'good cause' to devote themselves to.

The Martyrs of the zodiac are indiscriminate and irregular eaters. This brandied mincemeat flan should be well suited to the Piscean love of alcohol. You surely won't be able to prevent your fishy friends sacrificing themselves to this noble cause!

BRANDY MINCEMEAT FLAN

Ingredients

Pastry

175 g (6oz) plain flour
75g (3oz) margarine
25g (1oz) castor sugar
1 egg

Filling

350g (¾lb) mincemeat
1 small cooking apple, peeled, cored and diced
25g (1oz) flaked almonds
25g (1oz) glace cherries
1 x 15ml spoon (1 tablespoon) brandy

Method of preparation

Place flour in a bowl and rub in margarine until mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. Mix in sugar. Add egg and mix to a firm dough. Knead lightly on a lightly floured surface to form a smooth dough. Place in a cool place to relax. Roll out 2/3 of the pastry to line a 20cm (8 inch) fluted flan ring. Mix together all filling ingredients and spoon into flan case. Roll out remaining pastry and cut a circle from the centre using a 5cm (2 inch) fluted ring cutter. Place over flan case, trim, seal and flute edges. Brush with water or milk and sprinkle with castor sugar. Bake at 190°C, 375°F, Gas No.5 for 30-40 minutes.