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Photo credit: https://www.curiouscuisiniere.com/mince-pie/
Tired of the same holiday recipes you make year after year? I’m sure Charles Dickens would suggest shaking up your holiday treats by making some good, old fashioned mincemeat pie.
So what is mincemeat pie?
Mincemeat pie is a traditional English dish, served around Christmastime. Traditionally, mincemeat pies had sweet fruit and actual chunks of meat, but most modern day mincemeat pies forgo the meat. But don’t fear, this recipe isn’t a fruit cake, more just a dessert with sweetened fruit and spices. Since we are dealing with younger (and generally pickier) pallets, the recipe I included is meat-free. If you prefer a store-bought version of mincemeat to save time, I have included a link to one found on Amazon.com for a reasonable price: https://www.amazon.com/Robertsons-Classic-Mincemeat-14-5-Ounce/dp/B002ONKOCA/ref=sr_1_12_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1541541636&sr=8-12&keywords=mincemeat
Mincemeat also traditionally is cooked with wine or brandy, but we suggest using apple cider to make this recipe something the whole family can enjoy.
What you will need:
Mincemeat:
2 large sweet apples, peeled, cored and diced
1 large orange, zested, peeled and diced
1 c raisins ½ c golden raisins
1/2 c dried apricots, chopped
1/3 c dark brown sugar
1/4 c lemon juice
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp allspice
1/2 c apple cider
In a medium saucepan, mix diced apples, orange zest, diced orange fruit, and remaining ingredients except the apple cider. Stir and simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally for 30 minutes. Remove the mixture from the heat and stir in the apple cider. Place the mixture in an air-tight container and store in the refrigerator for at least 2 weeks before using, to let the flavors meld. This will keep in the fridge 2-3 months. If you do not have the patience to make your own mincemeat, store bought is fine.
You can find more on that recipe here: https://www.curiouscuisiniere.com/mincemeat/
Crust:
2 and 1/3 c plain flour
2/3 c caster sugar
12 and 1/2 c butter (cold)
2 c mincemeat
a pinch of salt
1 egg (for brushing)
Icing sugar (to sieve over at end)
Follow the recipe here to make the crust: http://saucepankids.com/recipe/easy-mince-pies/
Keep in mind, 180 degrees Celsius is approximately 350 degrees Fahrenheit!
The real reason for the season is quality time spent with your family. Treasured moments whether in the kitchen, on Christmas morning, or even spending a day at the theater are the best gift of all. We hope that this recipe will provide a little bit of British fun this holiday season, and bring your family closer together.
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DCT Staff Thoughts
'Tis the Season again at DCT! This year we're bringing you family-friendly holiday cheer featuring Jack and Annie of the popular Magic Tree House series... along with special guest, Charles Dickens! A GHOST TALE FOR MR. DICKENS takes place in Victorian England where Christmas traditions are a little different than those that we know here in Texas.
As a cast member of this fantastic show, I am fortunate to get a unique view of the production. My favorite part of the acting process is diving deep into the “world” of the show; in this case, that’s Victorian England. In thinking of a fun activity to do as a family, I researched English Christmas traditions. In the States, kiddos may be snacking on pecan pie and snickerdoodle cookies. In London in Charles Dickens’ time of 1843, and even now, you are more likely to see mincemeat pie on Christmas Day. Families bake and enjoy these pies together and often pass down recipes through multiple generations.
We hope this recipe, and our productions, can help bring you together as a family.
Happy Holidays!
Olivia Grace Murphy
DCT Actor & Holiday Enthusiast
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