True Mince Meat Pie Recipes

MINCEMEAT PIE

Steps:

• Place all of the ingredients except the crust into the bowl of a food processor and pulse 8 to 10 times. Place in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for at least 3 days before using. Can be stored for up to 6 months.
• If you prefer a finer texture of mincemeat place the apples, dried fruit and suet into a meat grinder with a large die and grind. Transfer to a bowl and stir in the remaining ingredients. You may also finely chop the apples, dried fruit and suet by hand.
• Place the flour, cornmeal, 1 1/2 ounces sugar and salt into a large mixing bowl and whisk to combine. Grate the cold butter on the large side of a box grater directly into the dry ingredients. Work together with your hands until the mixture is crumbly. Add the cider and water and stir with a spatula to combine. Knead the dough 5 to 6 times and spritz with additional water if the dough is dry. Shape into a disk, wrap in plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator for 20 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
• Unwrap the dough and divide into 4 equal pieces. Place 2 pieces of the dough onto a piece of parchment paper and roll each out into a 1/8-inch thick round that is 6 to 8 inches in diameter. Spoon about 1/2 cup of the mincemeat into the center of each round, fold up the edges of the dough in order to form a crust all the way around. Brush the edges of the crust with egg wash and sprinkle lightly with sugar. Transfer the dough on the parchment to a half sheet pan. Place on the middle rack of the oven and bake for 30 minutes or until the crust is golden brown. Repeat with the remaining dough.
• If you prefer 1 large pie, roll out the dough on a piece of parchment into a 15 to 16-inch round, about 1/4 to 1/8-inch thick. Trim the edges with a pizza cutter. Carefully slide the rolled out dough, still on the parchment paper, onto an upside down half sheet pan. Spoon about 1 1/2 pounds of the mincemeat onto the center of the dough, leaving a 2 to 3-inch margin around the edge of the crust. Place in the oven and bake for 35 minutes or until the crust is golden. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for 30 to 45 minutes before serving.

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.

OLD TIME MINCEMEAT PIE

Steps:

• In a Dutch oven, combine beef and apple cider. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Cover and cook for about 20 minutes, or until meat is tender. Remove meat and coarsely chop, then return it to the pot.
• Stir in chopped apples, sugar, currants, raisins, citrus peel, butter and cherry preserves. Add ginger, cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon and salt. Let simmer, uncovered, over low heat until mixture is very thick, about 90 minutes. Stir in cherries and remove from heat.
• Refrigerate tightly covered for at least a week before using.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Put filling in unbaked pie shell and place pastry on top. Crimp edges and poke several holes in top pastry. Brush top with cream and sprinkle with sugar.
• Bake in preheated oven for 40 minutes, or until golden brown.

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 BRITISH MINCEMEAT FOR CHRISTMAS MINCE PIES!

Steps:

• Chop the nuts and candied peel finely.
• Peel, core and chop the apples into small pieces.
• Stir together with all the other ingredients and seal in sterilised jars.
• Keep for at least 2 weeks before using in mince pies, mincemeat cakes, mincemeat puddings and steamed puddings.

TRUE MINCE MEAT PIE

Steps:

• 1. Pre Heat oven to 350'F 9-inch pie plate
• 2. At least 4 hours before making pie, prepare the mincemeat: In a large pot, combine meat, and cider, raisins, and cherries or currants (prefer currants), and spices.
• 3. Cover and heat to boiling over high heat. Reduce heat to low and simmer 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• 4. (Mincemeat can be made up to 3 months ahead and frozen. If frozen, thaw mincemeat before making pie or baking time will be lengthened, or canned.)
• 5. Meanwhile, prepare pastry and refrigerate until ready to use-at least 30 minutes.
• 6. Meanwhile, prepare pastry and refrigerate until ready to use-at least 30 minutes. Divide pastry into 3 equal pieces. Press 2 pieces together and shape into a ball. Between 2 sheets of waxed paper, roll out ball of pastry into an 11 -inch round. Remove top sheet of paper and invert pastry into 9-inch pie plate, letting excess extend over edge. Remove bottom sheet of paper. Between sheets of waxed paper, roll out remaining pastry to a 9 1/2- by 6-inch rectangle. Remove top sheet of paper from pastry. Cut rectangle into four 9 1/2- by 1 1/2-inch strips. Carefully spoon mincemeat into crust-lined pie plate. Remove pastry strips from waxed paper, one at a time, and place across mincemeat to create spokes. All four strips will overlap in the center. Lift edge of bottom crust over ends of strips. Pinch together and flute edge. Place pie on rimmed baking sheet. Bake pie 50 to 55 minutes or until crust is lightly browned and filling bubbles. Cool 10 minutes on wire rack before cutting.

ALL-FRUIT MINCEMEAT PIE RECIPE

Steps:

• Make the filling: In a large saucepan, combine all the filling ingredients. Cook over low heat, covered, for about 40 minutes, until the dried fruit is saturated and plump throughout.
• Using an immersion blender or food processor, roughly purée the mixture until there are still pea-sized pieces in it. Store in the refrigerator for at least 1 week to allow the flavors to deepen.
• Make the pie: Preheat the oven to 450 F. Roll out the bottom crust and place it into a 9-inch pie plate. Fill with 3⅓ cups of mincemeat filling, pour the melted butter over top, and then add the top crust. Cut a few slits into the top crust to allow steam to escape.
• Place the pie on a cookie sheet and bake for 10 minutes, until the crust looks dry. Turn the oven down to 350 F and continue baking for 45 to 55 minutes, until the crust is golden brown and juices are bubbling through the slits in the crust.
• Cool completely before slicing, then serve at room temperature.