Home Made Christmas Mincemeat With Cranberries Food

HOME-MADE CHRISTMAS MINCEMEAT WITH CRANBERRIES

Steps:

• All you do is combine the above ingredients, except for the brandy, in a large ovenproof mixing bowl, stirring and mixing them together very thoroughly indeed. Then cover the bowl with a clean cloth and leave the mixture in a cool place overnight or for 12 hours, so the flavours have a chance to mingle and develop. After that pre-heat the oven to gas mark ¼, 225°F (120°C). Then cover the bowl loosely with foil and place in the oven for 3 hours. Then remove the bowl from the oven. Don't worry about the appearance of the mincemeat - it will look as if it is positively swimming in fat, but this is how it should look As it cools, stir it from time to time: the fat will coagulate. When the mincemeat is quite cold, stir in the brandy. Pack in the jars, which have been washed, dried and heated in a moderate oven for 5 minutes to sterilise, cover with waxed discs and seal. It will keep indefinitely in a cool, dry cupboard, but I think it is best eaten within a year of making.

CRANBERRY JEWELLED MINCEMEAT

Steps:

• Tip the dried fruits and mixed peel into a large bowl. Pour over the brandy, zests and juices. Stir, then cover and leave to soak for 24 hrs.
• Tip the mixture into a large saucepan with the remaining ingredients and stir well. Set over a medium heat and, once the suet has melted, turn up the heat and bubble for a few mins. Pack while hot into sterilised jars (see tip, below). Leave in a cool, dark cupboard for at least a fortnight, or for up to 6 months.

CHRISTMAS MINCEMEAT SQUARES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375F; grease a 13x9 pan and set aside.
• In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, oats, sugar and baking soda.
• Stir in melted butter and mix together until mixture appears crumbly.
• Firmly pat half the crumb mixture into prepared pan, then cover evenly with mincemeat.
• Sprinkle remaining crumb mixture over mincemeat and pat lightly.
• Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until squares appear golden brown.
• Cool before cutting into squares.

CRANBERRY MINCEMEAT PIE

Steps:

• Place rack in lower half of oven & preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• In a large bowl, stir together the mincemeat & cranberries, then set aside.
• Line a 9-inch pie plate with one pastry crust, then add the filling.
• Cover with a top crust, then seal & flute the edges before cutting several vent slits near the center.
• Whisk the egg yolk & water together, then brush the surface of the pie with the egg wash.
• Bake for 30 minutes, then cool to room temperature on a wire rack.
• Cover & refrigerate.