Moms Modern Mincemeat Recipes

BEST TRADITIONAL MINCEMEAT

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients except for the brandy and rum in a medium-sized pot and slowly bring to a simmer to prevent scorching. Reduce the heat to LOW and simmer uncovered for about 2 hours, stirring occasionally, more towards the end to prevent burning. (If the liquid reduces too soon and the mincemeat starts to stick/scorch on the bottom, add a little bit of apple juice or water.) Stir in the brandy and rum. (Note: If you prefer to have the alcohol cooked out, add them at the same time as the other ingredients.)
• Spoon the hot mincemeat into sterilized jars (spooning it in the jar while hot will ensure the suet rises to the top to create a layer of fat). As the mixture cools the suet will harden, creating a seal to help preserve the mincemeat. *If you're including the beef be sure to refrigerate the mincemeat. If you're storing it for more than a couple of weeks follow the directions in the blog post for pressure canning the mincemeat for longer-term storage.See blog post for additional ways of storing your mincemeat.
• Makes about 1 quart. Feel free to double, triple, etc, as needed.
• Use this mincemeat to make Homemade Mince Pies! (click link for recipe)
• Note: Mincemeat is traditionally stored for several months before using to allow time for the flavors to deepen, however this mincemeat is also delicious eaten within just a few days.

HOMEMADE MINCEMEAT RECIPE

Steps:

• In a large pan, melt butter.
• Add water, fruits, sugar, spices, and alcohol.
• Bring to boil over medium-high heat, stirring often. Once it boils reduce the heat to low and cook for approximately 30 mins. Continue to stir often.
• The mince is ready when the majority of the liquid has boiled out.
• Let the mince cool completely and then transfer and store in an airtight container.
• The mince should be kept in the refrigerator. The longer you store it the more the flavors will develop.
• The mince will keep for a month if you take some steps. Check on it every week or so and add a tablespoon of rum or brandy and give it a good stir. If you don't take this step the mince will only last a week.

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.

MINCEMEAT

Steps:

• Combine cinnamon, cloves, ginger, nutmeg, and allspice in a bowl. Reserve 1 heaped teaspoon for the mincemeat. Store the rest in a small jar for a later use.
• Inspect two 12-ounce jars for cracks and rings for rust, discarding any defective ones. Immerse in simmering water until mincemeat is ready. Wash new, unused lids and rings in warm soapy water.
• Combine apple, sultanas, sugar, currants, raisins, and butter in a saucepan. Cook over low heat and stir gently until butter has melted. Stir in chopped almonds, orange zest, 1 teaspoon of mixed spice, and cinnamon. Bring mixture to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, 5 to 10 minutes.
• Remove from heat and set mincemeat aside to cool down for 30 minutes. Stir in brandy. Spoon into sterilized jars.

MUM'S MINCEMEAT

Steps:

• Melt suet in a saucepan over medium-low heat; strain liquid through a fine-mesh strainer into a bowl and discard solids. Refrigerate liquid until again solid.
• Grate solid suet, measure 12 ounces of grated suet into a bowl, and set aside.
• Stir brown sugar, sultana raisins, dark raisins, currants, fruit peel, almonds, allspice, nutmeg, and salt together in a large bowl; add grated suet and stir. Fold grated apple through the mixture.
• Cover bowl loosely with aluminum foil and allow it to sit at room temperature, stirring once daily, until fermented, 3 to 5 days. Refrigerate until needed.

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.

GRANDMA MYER'S HOMEMADE MINCEMEAT RECIPE:

Steps:

• Trim fat from meat of your choice and discard.
• In a large heavy pan over medium heat, place meat; cover with water and simmer until the meat is tender. Remove from heat and refrigerate meat in the cooking liquid overnight.
• Remove from refrigerator and remove meat from liquid. Remove all fat from top of liquid; discard the fat and reserve the remaining liquid. Separate meat from bones, discard bones. Chop cooked meat into small cubes.
• In a large pot, combine meat cubes, suet, apples, reserved liquid, sugar, apple cider, molasses, cider vinegar, raisins, cinnamon, cloves, allspice, nutmeg, lemon juice, and orange juice; simmer for 2 hours. remove from heat. Add brandy or sherry and mix together.
• It's best to let mincemeat stand at least a couple of weeks before using. I store mine in the refrigerator. Freeze in air-tight containers for longer storage.

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.