James Beards Mincemeat Recipes

JAMES BEARD'S MINCEMEAT

Steps:

• "Begin by assembling a goodly supply of Cognac, apple brandy, sherry, and if you can find it, boiled cider. If not, settle for more apple brandy or applejack and more Cognac. You can also use up any odd liqueur or that bottle you were given last Christmas and have kept hidden on a shelf. All these things will help to make your mincemeat better.".
• Boil the rump and tongue separately in salted water until tender. Let the rump cool until it can be handled, remove the excess fat, and chop coarsely or put through the coarse blade of a meat grinder.
• Let the tongue cool, remove the skin, and chop or grind coarsely.
• Chop the beef suet very finely and combine it in a crock with the meats.
• Add raisins, sultanas, currants, citron, peels and mix well.
• Add sugar and jams and salt. Mix spices together and mix into the mixture in the crock.
• Mix ingredients well with the hands and then cover the mixture with Sherry, Cognac, etc. -- enough to a make a rather loose mixture.
• Cover tightly and let rest for 2 weeks.
• Uncover and taste and add more spirits if necessary. Let rest for another 2 weeks before using.
• At this point, if you wish to store the mincemeat in smaller containers, transfer it to sterilized jars or crocks, add more liquor, and seal or cover them tightly.
• The mincemeat will keep more or less indefinitely in a cool place or in the refrigerator.
• When using for pies, Add 1 to 1 1/2 cups chopped fresh tart apple to each 2 1/2 to 3 cups mincemeat. Bake at 450°F for 10 minutes; reduce heat to 350°F and continue baking until crust is well browned.

JAMES BEARD'S TRADITIONAL MINCEMEAT

Steps:

• Begin by assembling a goodly supply of Cognac, apple brandy, sherry, and if you can find it, boiled cider. If not, settle for more apple brandy or applejack and more Cognac. You can also use up any odd liqueurs or that bottle you were given last Christmas and have kept hidden on a shelf. All these things will help to make your mincemeat better. " Boil the rump and tongue separately in salted water until tender. Let the rump cool until it can be handled, remove the excess fat, and chop coarsely or put through the coarse blade of a meat grinder. Let the tongue cool, remove the skin, and chop or grind coarsely. Chop the beef suet very finely and combine it in a crock with the meats. Add raisins, sultanas, currants, citron, peels and mix well. Add sugar and jams and salt. Mix spices together and mix into the mixture in the crock. Mix ingredients well with the hands and then cover the mixture with Sherry, Cognac, etc. -- enough to a make a rather loose mixture. Cover tightly and let rest for 2 weeks. Uncover and taste, and add more spirits if necessary. Let rest for another 2 weeks before using. At this point, if you wish to store the mincemeat in smaller containers, transfer it to sterilized jars or crocks, add more liquor, and seal or cover them tightly. The mincemeat will keep more or less indefinitely in a cool place or in the refrigerator. When using for pies, add 1 to 1½ cups chopped fresh tart apple to each 1½ to 3 cups mincemeat, bake at 450 F. for 10 minutes, reduce heat to 350℉ (180℃). and continue baking until crust is well browned.

JAMES BEARD'S BASIC HOME-STYLE BREAD

Steps:

• Add the yeast to 1/2 cup of the warm milk, along with 2 tbl sugar, and stir well until the yeast in completely dissolved. Allow the yeast to proof.
• Place the remaining milk, butter and salt in a bowl. (Beard liked a lot of salt, and I would use less). Stir in the flour, 1 cup at a time, with a wooden spoon.
• After the third cup, add the yeast mixture. Continue stirring in flour until the mixture is rather firm, which should take about 4 to 5 cups.
• Remove the dough to a floured board and knead, adding more flour as necessary, until it is supple, satiny and no longer sticky.
• Butter a bowl and place the dough in it, turning to coat all sides with the fat. Cover and allow to rise in a warm, draft-free spot until doubled in bulk, about 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
• Deflate the dough by punching firmly two or three times, return to the floured board, and knead 4 to 5 minutes more.
• Divide into two equal parts and shape into loaves. Place in well-buttered 9x5x3 in loaf tins, cover, and let rise again until doubled in bulk.
• Slash the loaves with a sharp knife and brush with lightly beaten egg white or water.
• Bake in a 400 deg. oven for 40 to 45 minutes or until the bread sounds hollow when tapped with the knuckles.
• Remove the loaves from the pans and put them back in the oven a few minutes longer to become crisped.