My Daddys Favorite Pie === Mincemeat Pie

A British born pie and also one of my dads favorites is the mince pie. The "mincemeat" pie is filled with a mix of dried fruits and spices. This pie is a Christmas tradition in the English speaking world. The pie can be traced back to the 13th century when European crusaders brought with them Middle Eastern recipes that contained meats, fruits and spices.

Mincemeat pie has also been called "mutton pie", "shrid pie" and "Christmas pie" Inside these pies ingredients such as minced meat, suet, range of fruits, and spices including cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg. The savory Christmas pie had Catholic "idolatry" tied in as well as English civil war which was frowned on Puritan authorities. The tradition of Christmas pie broadened to include the entire winter during the Victorian era.

2 pounds venison, elk, or beef chunks
Water
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
6 whole cloves
6 whole allspice
1 large bay leaf
1/2 pound beef suet, finely chopped*
3 quarts apple cider
2 cups beef broth
3 pounds apples, chopped
3 pounds raisins (dark and golden)
2 pounds currants
1/2 pound citron
1 tablespoon ground cloves
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon ground nutmeg
1 tablespoon ground allspice
1 firmly-packed cup brown sugar
2 cups rum or Applejack brandy

Trim fat from meat of your choice. 
In a large heavy pan over medium heat, place meat; cover with water.  Add cider vinegar, whole cloves, allspice, and bay leaf.  Simmer approximately 2 hours or until the meat is tender and falls apart.  Remove from heat and refrigerate meat in cooking liquid overnight.
Remove from refrigerator and remove meat from liquid.  Remove all fat from top of liquid; discarding the liquid.  Separate meat from bones, discard bones.  Chop cooked meat into small cubes.
In a large pot, combine meat cubes, suet, apple cider, beef broth, apples, raisins, currants, citron, cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and brown sugar.  Over medium heat, let mixture come just to a low boil; reduce heat to low and let simmer until the apples are cooked.  Remove from heat and add rum or Applejack brandy and mix together.

Variation:  For a wonderful flavor boost, zest and juice 2 to 3 lemons and 2 orange.  Add to mince before bringing to a boil.


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.

Making Pie

2 large tart apples, sliced
All-purpose flour
Ground cinnamon
Butter
1 quart prepared mincemeat (see recipe above)

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.  Prepare pie pastry.
In a large bowl, lightly toss the sliced apples with a little flour and cinnamon.  Spread the apple mixture over the bottom of the pastry-lined plate.  Dot with butter.  Spoon prepared mincemeat over the top.  Add additional rum or brandy to your taste.  Cover with remaining pastry and flute.  Cut slits in pastry so steam can escape.  Cover edge with aluminum foil to prevent excessive browning.

NOTE:  I think my great grandma added the apples to stretch the mincemeat supply.  Non-mince lovers absolutely love this pie.  The only downfall of making this pie so delectable that the pie doesn't last as long!

Bake pie approximately 40 to 50 minutes or until crust is lightly browned.  Remove aluminum foil during last 15 minutes of baking.  Remove from oven and cool on awire rack before cutting and serving.
Serve warm or at room temperature.

Makes 8 servings


shared at 
The DIY party .