Best Mincemeat Ever?

Bongedone

As Scotsaver says. I make Delia's recipe and have eaten it two years old and its fine. No refrigeration required as Delia says herself:

http://www.deliaonline.com/recipes/main-ingredient/mincemeat/home-made-christmas-mincemeat.html

I am also going to make a batch this week as ASDA have the dried fruits on offer.

floyd

Bongedone wrote: »

As Scotsaver says. I make Delia's recipe and have eaten it two years old and its fine. No refrigeration required as Delia says herself:

http://www.deliaonline.com/recipes/main-ingredient/mincemeat/home-made-christmas-mincemeat.html

I am also going to make a batch this week as ASDA have the dried fruits on offer.

Same here, just found a jar from 2 years ago and its perfect!

jjblondie

I would normally 'make' mince pies by chucking a jar of mincemeat into some homemade pastry . However, Germany doesn't have mincemeat and thus I will have to make my own. I have looked at Delia's recipe http://www.deliaonline.com/recipes/main-ingredient/mincemeat/home-made-christmas-mincemeat.html and it contains raisins, currants and sultanas - is this really essential? I would have to travel far and wide to find all three here. As for suet, I wouldn't hold out much hope of finding that here either .

Does anyone have a booze free mincemeat recipe that is preferably (but doesn't have to be) simple?

jackyann

The dried fruit is essential, but the exact mix isn't critical, more a question of taste. You can substitute dried cranberries, chopped dried apricots etc. Just be careful not to put too much peel in as that can make it bitter. Also, fruit that has been sugar coated (some dried pineapple) is all wrong.
I haven't been in Germany for over 20 years, but wonder if you are anywhere near a Turkish quarter, as those shops might have dried fruit. Suet is essential, I would have thought you might be able to get it (what do they make their dumplings with?)
As you are nearing the home-made mincemeat deadline, I wonder if you have to embrace German-ness & make stollen! (Actually, that has dried fruit in it, so it must be obtainable)

jjblondie

Thanks for the tips. Most people buy dumplings pre made, but you're right, someone must make them and use suet. Unfortunately as I am having a British Christmas party in my English class I'm not sure stollen's the answer - tasty though!

mustmakealist

I've made the delia mincemeat in the past and it's been one of the best I've ever used. I also found that if the mince meat bubbled ouf of the pies when they were cooking it didn't burn as much as shop bought.

Trying to lose weight this year so staying away from hm mince pies!

lainz

find yourself a nice man in uniform and get him to take you to the NAAFI :-) I'm not sure if Karstadt are still going - they often had a food hall and you could get international stuff there.

jjblondie

Glad to hear the Delia recipe is good. Which liquid should I use instead of brandy? A teetotal person making alcoholic food for muslim children really doesn't work .

katkins78

I don't think suet is essential. I have used melted butter before when out of vegetable suet and you would never know the difference. The only problem I can foresee is long term storage, but then you can freeze extra mincepies- if they last that long!

http://www.deliciousmagazine.co.uk/recipes/buttery-apple-and-hazelnut-mincemeat

jjblondie

Update: I went to Karstadt and asked for mincemeat. After first being led to the mint jelly :rotfl: we found the mincemeat - at 6 euros for 300 grams :eek:! I will definately be making my own now. Even Karstadt only had sultanas (not raisins or currants) so it will be another mix of dried fruit. It is good to hear about the butter success story as some children may be vegetarian - I will find out tomorrow.

Any more recipes or suggestions very welcome especially for a brandy substitution - apple juice?