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This is an easy recipe for Mincemeat filling made with apples, raisins, cranberries and citrus fruit. This filling is ready for your Christmas Pies, cookies, biscuits or anything else that strikes your British fancy.
This blogging thingHas turned into a surprising outlet for many of my passions, one of which is exploring foods from around the World.
I get excited when I watch a movie or read a book and there is a reference to a traditional dish from some far off place. My mind instantly goes to a kitchen scene where the cook is preparing such meal in its time period. This time, I was inspired by the Great British Baking Show.
I have heard of Mince Pies and Mincemeat but never quite knew what it was or what to think of it. When I saw Mary and Paul make their versions of Mince Pies, my curiosity on the subject was revived. So Idid some intense research hit the internet.
What Is Mincemeat?
Mincemeat is an ever evolving culinary invention that probably has its roots in the Crusades, influenced by regional cuisine in Britain and spread to the far reaches of New England.
The original recipes had ground or diced meat known as ‘mincemeat’, hence the name. This was cooked and mixed with fruit, spices and spirits to make a mixture that was essentially shelf stable at a time when food preservation without refrigeration drove regional cuisine. This was happening in the Middle East at the time of the crusades.
Modern mincemeat usually does not have meat but has evolved into a cooked mixture of dried fruits, fresh apples and spices then topped off with spirits. This is all kept in a jar in at room temperature or refrigerated depending on your comfort level. Now you have a ready source of Christmas-y filling for pies, cookies, breads, biscuits etc. Really, the uses for mincemeat are only limited by your imagination.
Today, I am going to show you a super easy recipe for Mincemeat filling without meat or lard.
Recipes That Use Sweet Mincemeat
Cookies
Start off your mincemeat adventure with these easy Christmas cookies. I used a food processor to mix the dough and then rolled them out, stuff with mincemeat and bake. Super easy and you can make the cookies ahead, they keep great in the fridge. I personally like these with tea.
Quick Bread
An easy and simple apple quick bread with walnuts and Christmas mince. A great breakfast option and homemade hostess gift.
Sweet Mince Dumplings
A quick, sweet Christmas dumpling made easy with your jar of mince and dumpling wrappers. Just fry, drain and sprinkle with powdered sugar. The Christmas season isn’t all about baking cookies.
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Mince Filling With Raisins, Apples, Cranberries and Citrus
Yield: 1 quart
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
This is an easy recipe for Mincemeat filling made with apples, raisins, cranberries and citrus fruit. This filling is ready for your Christmas Pies, cookies, biscuits or anything else that strikes your British fancy.
Ingredients
- 2 cups dried apricots, quartered (cut into 4 pieces)
- 2 cups raisins
- 6 oz dried cranberries
- 1 lemon, zested and juiced
- 1 orange, zested and juiced
- 1 large apple, peeled, cored and chopped
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp nutmeg
- 1 tsp ginger
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 1/2 cups orange liqueur of choice
Instructions
- Zest your citrus fruits and squeeze the juice from them, place in medium pot along with all ingredients except the liqueur.
- Simmer over medium low heat until apples and dried fruit are soft, stirring frequently, about 20 minutes.
- Cool mixture, place in quart mason jar, pour liqueur over it. Seal with lid and keep at room temperature, turning upside down once in awhile or keep in fridge.
- Use in your favorite recipes or make up your own recipes:)
Notes
- I don't know how long mincemeat will last. Look, smell, taste is the method I use. If in doubt, throw it out.
- You may substitute any of the dried fruit for other dried fruit including prunes or dried mixes.
- You may add more spices along the sweet route like allspice or go a little spicier like cayenne.
- For a non-alcoholic version simply use apple juice but this will need to be refrigerated or frozen.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8Serving Size: 1/2 cup
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 429Total Fat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 11mgCarbohydrates: 89gFiber: 6gSugar: 75gProtein: 2g
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