FILO MINCE PIES

These are always a winner and are made in no time at all. I actually prefer them to proper mince pies. Really easy for the children to help as well. You need:

- a packet of filo pastry
- a jar of mincemeat
- 100 gr of butter - melted
- a muffin tray

Preheat the oven at 200 degrees. Cut the filo into squares - you will need three squares per muffin hole. Grease the muffin holes with the melted butter. Then 'paint' each of the filo squares with melted butter. Overlap three squares on each muffin hole (see picture). Then fill in each case with the mincemeat. Finally take a little bit of the remaining filo and cut it into little squares (do this with scissors), cover the little squares with butter and sprinkle them on top of the mincemeat (you can avoid this step, but it gives it a nice crust). Bake in the oven for12-13 minutes. Sprinkle with icing sugar.

BEETROOT SOUP

I love this soup. As indeed anything beetroot. Making this with children, though, means getting their hands ( and yours) stained with pink (a colour that my children are not very fond of) I bought once latex gloves for all, but it makes a bit of a scary picture. This is a better trick: if you get your hands stained, get an orange and rub your hands with the white side of its rind - magic.

You need:
- 4 beetroots
- 2 tablespoons of oil
- 2 cooking apples ( diced)
- 2 onions ( diced)
- 2 teaspoons of dill
- 500 l of water
- salt
- one tablespoon of vinegar

Wash carefully the beetroots, put them in a pan, cover them with water and boil them for 30 minutes. Then put them under the cold tap of water and get rid of the skins (this is the 'scary pink' bit).

Heat the oil in a pan, add the onions, beetroots (quartered) and apples. Fry for 5 minutes. Then add the salt and water. Bring to the boil and simmer for 15-17 minutes. Add the vinegar and blend it. Serve with a bit of dill on top.