Moms Modern Mincemeat Food

OLD-FASHIONED MINCEMEAT PIE RECIPE FROM 1798

Steps:

• If using ground beef, brown the meat in a saucepan over medium heat. If you are using other cuts of raw beef, boil the beef until it is cooked and then chop it into small pieces. Or, if you are using left over beef that has already been cooked, you can chop the meat into small pieces. After chopping the beef, add the salt to the meat.
• In a large bowl, combine chopped apples, chopped suet (or your suet substitute) cider, spices, and fruit. Add the beef and apple cider and mix well until all ingredients are thoroughly combined. (If you want to be more authentic, you can chop up all of the ingredients together at this point to mince them finely.)
• Line a 9 inch pie plate with pastry and then pour in the mincemeat.
• Add the top crust, sealing the edges with a fork and cutting slivers in the top to let out steam. If you want an extra golden brown crust you can brush the top of the pie with some egg.
• Bake in a 400 degree oven for about 45 minutes until the crust looks golden brown.

TRADITIONAL MINCEMEAT

Steps:

• Soak the raisins and currants in the brandy and lemon juice for 1 hr until plumped up, then drain and set the brandy aside. Mix all the ingredients together in the order given, then pour in the brandy when everything else is well mixed. Spoon and press into sterilised jars, to exclude any air (the easiest way to sterilise jars is to run them through a dishwasher on its hottest setting). Cover and leave for at least a fortnight. Will keep in the fridge for up to 6 months.

MODERN MINCEMEAT FOR PIE

Steps:

• Grate the zest of the lemon and mix it and the lemon juice to the rest of the ingredients.
• Transfer the mixture to a 1-quart jar. Cover and refrigerate for at least two days and preferably two weeks.
• Make dough, prepare crust, and add the filling.
• Heat oven to 350 degrees. Bake until golden, about 1 hour.

MOM'S "MODERN" MINCEMEAT

Steps:

• 1. To braise the beef: Put a beef roast in a Dutch oven with a quart of water, cover, and roast at 350 degrees for 3 hours. Cool, trim fat, and mince enough beef for 2 cups. (Plan to have enough braised beef left over for dinner!)
• 2. Add the prepared beef and all the other ingredients to a large pot.
• 3. Bring to a simmer and cook for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• 4. Allow to cool and refrigerate.
• 5. Note: Substitute 2 Tablespoons frozen lemonade concentrate or juice of 1/2 lemon and 2 teaspoons of sugar for the powdered lemonade mix.
• 6. Use the mincemeat to make two-crust pies. It can be frozen and used as desired. Remember to refrigerate the final product: it has meat in it!
• 7. Use 4 cups mincemeat to make a 9" pie. Bake at 425 degrees or until pastry is golden. Cool partially on a wire rack before serving.