Alcohol free Mincemeat

Mincemeat is a traditional recipe which uses chopped dried fruits, candied fruit peels, spice powder, alcohol, minced meat and beef suet. One can find recipes of mincemeat pie dating back as early as the 14 th and 15 th century. Initially the mincemeat pie used to be a savoury recipe. However, it’s evolved into a sweeter version of late and the minced meat and suet is omitted from the recipe. These days people often make the alcohol

free version and use butter or vegetable shortening for the fat. The procedure is quite simple and the dried fruits, candied fruit peel is cooked with fruit juice and spice powder with some butter. It’s then stored in clean glass jars.

You can use any dried fruits of your choice. Cook the mixture only for few minutes till the dried fruits are swelled and soft. Make smaller quantities and use it as a filling in pies or use it to make a mincemeat cake. Candied orange peel and zest imparts a very good taste to it. As I didn’t have orange to take zest, I have used my home made orange marmalade. Stay tuned for more recipes with this mincemeat. As always, I have used my 240 ml cup. Btw, this tastes really yum on its own 🙂 If interested, you may have a look at the recipe of dark Treacle for your Christmas cakes.

Ingredients:

• Black raisins 1/4 cup (40 gm)
• Golden raisins 1/4 cup (40 gm)
• Black currant 1/4 cup (40 gm)
• Cranberries 1/4 cup (40 gm)
• Apple 1 small
• Candied orange peel 1/4 cup (40 gm)
• Orange zest 1 tsp (optional)
• Orange marmalade 1 tbsp (optional)
• Orange/apple juice 1/2 cup (120 ml)
• Mixed spice powder 1 tsp
• Butter 1 tbsp
• Brown sugar 1 tbsp

Method:

• Measure the dry fruits and keep it ready. You can any fruits of your choice.
• Wash and chop an apple into small pieces.

• Make a spice mixture using cinnamon, cloves, ginger and nutmeg. Use only a small quantity of nutmeg, as it is quite overpowering.
• In a heavy saucepan, add the orange/apple juice and orange zest. I didn’t have fresh oranges and hence I used orange marmalade. Mix well.

• Now add all the dried fruits, brown sugar, butter and spice powder.

• Heat it on low flame and cook for 10-12 minutes or till the juice is almost absorbed by the dried fruits.

• Remove from flame and cool it.
• Store it in clean and sterilized glass jars inside the refrigerator.

• Use it to make cakes, cookies and pies.

Notes:

• You can use any dried fruits like figs, plums/prunes etc.
• If possible, use home made candied orange peel.
• If you do not want it very sweet, you can omit the sugar.
• The spice mix can be a combination of 1/2 tsp cinnamon powder, 1/4 tsp dry ginger powder, a pinch of nutmeg powder and a pinch of clove powder. Feel free to omit or add any spice. Or simply omit it if you don’t like it.