Mincemeat

Take 40 minutes out of your day and make enough mincemeat to see yourself and half your family through the mince-pie eating season! I usually keep a few jars for myself and use the rest of the mincemeat to give away as early Christmas treats. Buy some nice new jam jars (loads available online!) fill to the brim with this pretty mincemeat (the cherries and cranberries make it far more attractive than shop brought stuff). Tie a piece of ribbon around the neck and take as a gift to friends when you visit during November and December. Everyone likes unexpected gifts and it gives them a chance to use it when making their own mince-pies before Christmas.

Ingredients to make  roughly 3lb mincemeat

4 bramley apples, peeled, cored and grated

12oz light muscovado sugar

Zest and Juice of 1 orange

Zest and Juice of 1 lemon

1 tsp ground cinnamon

¼ tsp each of ground nutmeg, cloves and allspice

4 oz dried cranberries

4oz golden raisins

4 oz sultanas 

4 oz glace cherries

3 ½ fl oz brandy

3 oz flaked almonds

4 oz vegetable suet

Put the grated apple and any juices, sugar, zests and citrus juices into a large saucepan. Bring gently  to a simmer, stirring until the sugar has melted. Turn off the heat and stir in the spices, dried fruit and brandy. Set aside to cool.

Once cool, stir in the almonds and suet.

Divide between sterilized jars. Press down to push out any air between spoonfuls and seal.

Will keep unopened in the fridge for months, so perfect to get some Christmas cooking out of the way during Autumn!