Mincemeat for mince pies

[Albert]

Any one got a mincemeat recipie which does not include suet - I can't buy it here and Christmas is just not complete without mince pies (home meade of course...not that I can buy them here either)

Yes, hang on...........

I have a recipe for cranberry & orange mincemeat - let me know & I'll post it up

Chipmonkey's Aunty's Mincemeat recipe!
4 oz butter
4oz grated apple
1lb dried fruit
4oz sugar, preferably demerara
4oz mixed peel( homemade is best but that's a whole nother recipe!)
4 oz blanched, well-dried almonds
Finely grated rind and juice of 1 large lemon
1 tsp mixed spice
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp grated nutmeg
4 tbsp brandy, whiskey or rum

The fruit should be very dry. Mix all the ingredients thoroughly. Put in dry jars and seal. Keep in a cool dry place.

It won't keep as long as suet-based mincemeat, I make it the first week in December. Before using, turn the jar upside down for a few minutes as the juice tends to sink to the bottom.

Thanks Cryptmonkey, that looks good, I'll give it a try. I thought the organge and cranberry one sounded yummy...but I can't get cranberries here either!

Albert, where are you?

Not even frozen ones?

Could you post your cranberry and orange receipe please pumpkinpud - it sounds yum

Nope, not even frozen ones, I'm in Brazil.
Probably be back for more recipes later, Christmas is sadly lacking in yummy food here

Would it work with dried cranberries, pumpkinpud? Albert could get them posted over!

As requested - orange & cranberry mincemeat (must confess its from a M&S xmas book!) - best made 10 weeks before xmas

1 kg/2lb 4oz cooking apples
1 tsp mixed spice
1 tsp ground cinnamon
200g/8 oz dark muscovado sugar
grated rind and juice of 3 oranges
grated rind and juice of 1 lemon
350g/12oz mixed dried fruit
100g/4oz dried apricots, chopped
350g/12oz cranberries, fresh or frozen
175g/6oz toasted flaked almonds
300ml/1/2pint brandy, rum or sherry

Peel, core and chop the apples, then put in a large pan with the spices, sugar, citrus rinds and juices. Bring to the boil, then cover and simmer for about 10 mins until the apples start to soften. Add the dried fruit, apricots, cranberries, almonds and brandy, rum or sherry. Bring to the boil, stirring well, then reduce the heat and simmer for 10 mins.

Remove from the heat, leave to cool, then pack the mincement into warm, sterilized jars, seal, label and keep for up to four weeks in a cool dry place. You can freeze it for up to six months.

Not sure if it would work with dried - would you need double the amount listed here?

Thanks pumpkinpud

Pumpkinpud, I'd say if you were using dried cranberries you'd use less, not more. Probably about 5oz? Maybe I'll give it a go and let you all know how I get on!

crypt monkey what do you do about the butter? Do you melt it before hand, or just mix it in unmelted?

Sorry, Bozza, only just seen this because I lost my recipe book and had to look up my own recipe on MN! I don't melt the butter, just mix it in thoroughly!