Extra Helpings: What is Mincemeat?
Yasmine asks: What is mincemeat pie? Can a vegetarian eat it? Does anyone eat it anymore?
I always eyed mincemeat pies suspiciously when I was a kid. Was it a pie made of meat? Why was it so dark and weird looking? Why wasn’t anyone else taking a piece?
Then, one Christmas, I ate a mincemeat tart at a fabulous hotel in London. The tart was brimming with brandy infused apples, dried fruit, sugar, nuts and lots and lots of spices. The mincemeat was dense and sweet and tasted, well, very British.
But what is mincemeat?
The English (who have a deep history with this recipe), traditionally mix finely chopped beef (minced-meat), beef suet, dried fruit, nuts, candied peel and loads of cloves, allspice, cinnamon and nutmeg and bake it into a tart or a pie.
But, Yasmine, most of the mincemeat pies or tarts you’ll find in the supermarket or bakery today leave the meat out. Same with newer recipes. Instead of beef suet, vegetable shortening is substituted. Bourbon or rum is also a popular replacement for the brandy.
And just in case you’re considering making mincemeat pie (with or without meat) the mincemeat mixture needs to be prepared well in advance so the fruit can soften and the deep, rich flavors have a chance to develop.
I’ve always been curious as to what it was but never enough to try it. Thanks for sharing, I may need to add to my #bucketlist
Good for you for having a sense of adventure! Let me know if you do try it!
Interesting! I’ve always wondered about mincemeat pies but never bothered to look it up.
Have you ever had one? They are interesting tasting… but not my first choice for a pie! Thanks for stopping by.