A subtle blend of sweet and savoury with just a hint of alcohol which echoes the ancient practice of adding spice and fruit to meat dishes. I also have a “Boozy Fat Free” mincemeat recipe posted,Recipe #184762, but if you wish to make a mincemeat recipe with little or no alcohol, this is a wonderful traditional recipe for long lasting mincemeat. Mincemeat was always made at home before the advent of commercial brands, and although this is based on an old recipe, this was obviously made after the introduction of sugar into England. In earlier times mincemeat was a mixture of real meat, spices and fruit. The only remaining and symbolic ingredient of this ancient culinary practice is the inclusion of the suet – which can be beef or vegetable suet for vegetarians. Excellent in mince pies and all manner of steamed and sticky puddings! PS. If you cannot obtain suet locally, you can use grated butter instead; place the butter in the freezer until nearly frozen and very firm and then grate into the bowl straight away.
Call it what you will, traditional British cheese on toast is a national institution, an iconic snack enjoyed by all, regardless of class or background! What can be simpler and tastier, hunks of homemade or crusty farmhouse style bread topped with mature Cheddar cheese, a smidge of mustard and Worcestershire sauce for those who desire an extra kick! This is NOT really a recipe; it is a basic method for making a super tasty and nutritious fast food dish. There is even a Cheese on Toast Day celebrated in the UK – mark your calendars now, the last Thursday in April has been set aside for this comforting supper treat. I lived on cheese on toast whilst I was a student, as I am sure most students do nowadays! You can use other British cheeses, but I find the best cheese without a doubt, is a good mature farmhouse cheddar. Make sure your bread is thickly sliced and you have your plates ready and waiting to receive the molten cheesy snack – pull up a chair by the fireside in the winter and enjoy your 5-minute culinary efforts! (This is an all year around snack I hasten to add.) An interesting historical note; toasted cheese was served as the final course to male diners during Edwardian times, in Gentleman’s Clubs……..the cheese was melted and served in a pot with the toast set around the edges – a sort of Gentleman’s Club fondue!
