Traditional British Mincemeat for Christmas Mince Pies!

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.

Traditional British Boozy Mincemeat – Fat Free

An adaptation from an old family “Traditional Mincemeat” recipe which was passed down through my Mum’s side of the family. This one however is FAT FREE – NO suet or butter and it still KEEPS for up to a year or two; I currently have a jar from 3 years ago which has aged and matured beautifully! I have called it traditional mincemeat as it has all the traditional ingredients apart from the fat and it is VERY EASY to make. I am posting this in early September so it can be made now and allowed to mature ready for Christmas MINCE PIES. Where I have stated rum or brandy, please use any strong liquor that you may have available; it’s just that brandy or rum work very nicely with the ingredients. Make some pretty labels, add a paper or fabric lid cover with a ribbon and then hang a pie, scone or cookie cutter from the neck – and voila, a thoughtful home-made gift! N.B. It’s the alcohol that keeps this mincemeat, so if you want a non-alcoholic version, I have a traditional suet mincemeat recipe posted, which does not need much if any alcohol – Recipe #257241.

Auberge Roast Chicken Rillettes With Armagnac, Thyme and Garlic

This is my “secret” recipe, that I make for the guests who stay in our Chambres D’Hotes – Bed and Breakfast! (Not so secret anymore!) It is always popular, and makes a nice change from the usual pork rillettes, and it is MUCH lighter in fat as well. Serve these rillettes as I do, with triangles of hot toast and a selection of cornichons, pickled onions and a good quality or home-made confit d’oignons…….a good Dijon mustard is also “le Must Have” as well as a selection of salad leaves! I have a recipe for confit d’oignons posted on Zaar: Recipe #211001

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