I want you to make your own mincemeat
Make my own mincemeat? What on earth for? I can hear you cry.
Freshly bottled mincemeat
Well, to impress and show off, of course. And, once you’ve eaten a mince pie with homemade mincemeat, you’ll never eat another shop bought again. Guaranteed.
It’s getting on for that time of year when it’s difficult to avoid the mince pie – you know those utterly dry, weird tasting things that are supposed to sum up the Christmas spirit – I think they actually sum up the Scrooge sort of Christmas spirit – mean and grumpy.
Mini mincepies each with a different shape on top
I am on a mission – to introduce you to a great tasting, moist, spicy delicious Christmas produce. I need a little work on your behalf. It’s takes so little preparation, and it is so worth it! And if you are inspired, why not make our Christmas cake too?
So, beg or borrow some windfall apples or buy some, get some decent glass bottling jars
- 500 grams of chopped suet* (vegetarian or beef)
- 500 grams of currants
- 500 grams of raisins
- 250 grams of sultanas
- 500 grams of cooking apples (grated - preferably in a food processor to save your fingers)
- 100 grams mixed candied peel (chopped)
- 500 grams caster sugar
- 2 lemons - take the zest off before you juice them - much easier)
- 1 teaspoon each of nutmeg, cloves and cinnamon
- 140 ml brandy
- Check the fruit over to ensure you're not including any stalks or branchy bits.
- Put all the ingredients together in the large mixing bowl. Mix thoroughly.
- Leave to soak for a couple of hours or preferably overnight.
- Place in jars and seal.
- Wait for 3 weeks before using. This lasts for ages and ages. Keep in a cool cupboard.
* Suet is a particularly British thing. If you can’t find it you will need some shredded beef fat.
Pingback: Our Top 12 Christmas foods | Edinburgh Foody
Pingback: A Christmas Pudding to make your own | Edinburgh Foody
Love making mincemeat… although mine tends to be alcohol free to make it good for all! 🙂 I replace brandy with spiced apple juice (I infuse the spices for mulled wine in hot apple juice) and also do not use suet–I prefer not adding any fat apart from a spoonful or so of dairy free spread just to make it moist!
I’m sure the alcohol burns off when you cook it – it will suit anyone, but the spiced apple juice sounds lovely
I also make an alternative filling with cranberries, satsuma and macadamia nuts for those who like my other half profess to not like mincemeat, but this filling always goes down well with those who like it and those who don’t.
Wow That sounds do delicious
Top tip, after filling pie with mincemeat put a blob of Philadelphia (full fat natch) on top before putting the pastry lid on. An absolute joy beholds! Also put orange zest in pastry, you can’t go wrong, trust me!
Will have to try this – yum
I love mincemeat, and for the first time last year I made my own! You’re right I wouldn’t go back to the bought stuff now. I already have a rhubarb and ginger mincemeat I made back in August, can’t wait to try it.
The only thing I would add is that if the idea of suet puts you off you can leave it out of the mix and then just add a tiny splodge of butter to each pie before cooking.
I think this year I need to branch out and make a Christmas Cake, thanks for the inspiration 🙂
Interesting! I’ll have to try that and as to rhubarb and ginger …mmmmm
Pingback: Tweets that mention Mincepies – heaven or hell? Make your own mincemeat « Edinburgh Foody -- Topsy.com