MINCEMEAT
1 Lemon
1 Orange
1/4 lb Beef suet
2 oz Almonds; 1/2 cup chopped
2 oz Pecans; 2/3 cup chopped
2 oz Walnuts; 2/3 cup chopped
3/4 c Raisins
3/4 c Golden raisins
1 c Currants
1/4 c Molasses
1 1/4 c Dark brown sugar
1/2 tb Ground cinnamon
1/2 tb Ground mace
1 1/2 ts Ground allspice
1 1/2 ts Ground cloves
1 1/2 ts Fresh ground nutmeg
1/4 ts Salt
1/4 c Sherry
1/4 c Brandy
1/4 c Bourbon
1 lb Apples; about 4
-PASTRY-
Best Pie Pastry; (see
-recipe)
1 tb Butter
SWEETENED WHIPPED CREAM
3/4 c Heavy cream
2 tb Granulated sugar
1/2 ts Vanilla extract
PREPARATION: For the mincemeat, grate zest from the lemon and orange into a
large bowl. Squeeze in the juice from each. Chop the beef suet, almonds,
pecans, and walnuts and put into the bowl. Add raisins, currants, molasses,
brown sugar, spices, salt, and liquors. Peel, core, and chop the apples.
Add apples to the mixture.
Put the mincemeat in a covered container in the refrigerator for at least 2
days. For best results, store for at least a week.
Mincemeat can be made several months ahead.
Make the Best Pie Pastry.
Heat oven to 425?F. On a lightly floured work surface, roll out the larger
disc of dough and fit pastry into 9-inch pie pan. Put the mincemeat into
the pie shell. Cut the tablespoon of butter into pieces and dot the top of
the mincemeat.
Roll out the remaining dough. With a sharp knife or a serrated pastry
wheel, cut rolled-out pastry into 1/2-inch-wide strips. Arrange half of the
strips on top of the pie, twisting each gently. Add the remaining strips
across the first strips to form a lattice. Trim off excess dough and flute
or crimp edges.
Bake pie in oven for 10 minutes. Reduce heat to 350?F and continue to bake
until crust is golden brown and filling is bubbly, about 40 minutes.
Pie can be baked several hours before serving.
For the Sweetened Whipped Cream, put the heavy cream, sugar, and vanilla in
a bowl and whip until the cream holds soft peaks.
Cream can be whipped an hour ahead.
SERVING: Serve warm or at room temperature with a big dollop of whipped
cream on each slice.
Yield: 1 9-inch pie
Prep Time: More than a day
NOTES : Wintery fruits, nuts and spices with fresh apples. You may want to
make this mincemeat in a larger quantity. Stored in an air-tight container
in the refrigerator, it keeps for several months. Since the mincemeat
improves with age, make it at least a week ahead for a superb pie filling.
Add a few tablespoons of each of the alcohol flavorings if the mincemeat
seems dry.
Yields
6 Servings