Buy or Make Mincemeat?

[UnGourmetGal]

I've found a couple recipes in my tried and true christmas cookbook that call for mincemeat from a package. Mincemeat wasused in a couple recipes for pound cake, which I thought was interesting. I don't have the book in front of me so I couldn't tell you the brand listed... I've never noticed mincemeat in my stores, where would I find it, which aisle? But, would it be better to make my own....is it labor intensive?

[blazedog]

I've seen mincemeat in the store. As I recall, it's generally in the baking section but might be a seasonal item for Thanksgiving/Christmas.

I believe at one time it was literally minced meat preserved with spices/fruits but now it is some kind of dried fruit with alcohol -- here's a better definition

It is, very simply, a mixture of fruits and spices that are cooked with or without minced meat and generally doused with brandy, rum, or whiskey. It improves and becomes more moist as the weeks pass, so allow it to mature for at least four weeks before using.

Like anything I would assume that homemade would be better than something from a jar but I really don't like any of the fruity Christmas things -- mincemeat, plum pudding, fruit cake etc. so it's not an avenue I've ever explored. :p

[Cherise]

As Blazedog said, it is usually found in the baking goods aisle, along with pie fillings, almond paste, etc. Usually I find it's on the very bottom shelf. I have seen it in glass jars, and also in like a vacuum packed box (?). Some brands contain actual meat, and some don't. Check the label, depending on whether this is important to you or not. I have never tried making my own, although I have considered it. I would definitely think that homemade would be better, especially if you want the meat in it. Store bought ones that do say they have meat in them, don't have very much I think. If you end up making your own, please post the recipe you use, and how it turns out, as I am still contemplating trying it myself sometime. Good luck!

[blazedog]

As Blazedog said, it is usually found in the baking goods aisle, along with pie fillings, almond paste, etc. Usually I find it's on the very bottom shelf. I have seen it in glass jars, and also in like a vacuum packed box (?). Some brands contain actual meat, and some don't. Check the label, depending on whether this is important to you or not. I have never tried making my own, although I have considered it. I would definitely think that homemade would be better, especially if you want the meat in it. Store bought ones that do say they have meat in them, don't have very much I think. If you end up making your own, please post the recipe you use, and how it turns out, as I am still contemplating trying it myself sometime. Good luck!

:eek: :eek: Canned mincemeat with MEAT -- that is too scarey -- talk about your mystery meat concoctions.

[Cherise]

That's why I think homemade would be better, because you control what's going into it. Not that I think the store bought product is unsafe, but I would just presume that the type of meat used probably isn't the best cut/type that could be used.

[jimjimmerjim]

IO remember my mother and grandmother making mincemeat every fall.

They would braise some sort of beef, usually chuck or round, then after it was done, they would grind it up with an old hand grinder. As I recall, it was then mixed with raisins and other dried fruits, and put in quart canning jars.

Since there was meat in it, they used a pressure canner to process the jars.

That is about all I remember, other than it was really good. The mincemeat available in jars at the store is fairly good, but nothing beats homemade.

[badunnin]

While nothing beats homemade, IMO, it is very labour intensive, and the canned variety isn't that bad.

[zwieback]

I looked at a jar of mincemeat about a month or so ago. I was just curious as to what was really in it. I had always thought there was meat in it but, wasn't sure. Lo and behold, there was beef in it. I've never had it but, it doesn't sound to appetizing to me.

As for where it is found, it is definitely in the baking section. It was near the canned pie fillings, if I recall correctly.

[gward]

Worse yet, is that mincemeat also contains suet. Now, I'm glad that suet keeps birds warm in winter, but I sure wouldn't want any part of it. I would, however, be interested if anyone has a t&t recipe without the meat & fat - a vegetarian version.

[UnGourmetGal]

Well, I'm definitely going to check the label before buying...I can't imagine putting beef in my apple pound cake :D I've been looking at homemade mincemeat recipes (the all fruit ones) and they seem fairly easy, basically just put everything in a pot and stew for an hour or so. The only thing is the cost of the ingredients, dried apricots can be a little pricey. But it might be worth it to do it once....and it makes 8 cups.

For anyone that wants to go homemade:

All-Fruit Mincemeat
Serves:8
Ingredients:
4 c Chopped unpeeled apples
2 c Raisins, chopped
1 c Snipped dried apricots
1 6-oz. (3/4 cup) frozen apple
-juice concentrate, thawed
3/4 c Water
1/4 c Honey
1 ts Ground allspice
1/2 ts Salt
2 T Brandy
Instructions:
In a 4 1/2-quart Dutch oven stir together the apples, raisins, apricots, apple juice concentrate, water, honey, allspice, and salt.
Bring to boiling, reduce heat.
Cover and simmer for 50 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Uncover and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes more or till liquid has nearly evaporated, stirring occasionally.
Stir in the brandy.
Cool.
Stir, covered, in the refrigerator.
Makes about 8 cups.

[HealthyinMN]

Here is a link to a popular brand I see quite often around here

http://www.eaglenonesuch.com/

[Lorena]

Thanks so much, Ungourmetgal for the recipe. As you say it is easy to make. Do you think it could be frozen?

[UnGourmetGal]

I don't see why not, although it may need to be reheated in a saucepan to thicken...has anyone actually tried this?

[boblue]

Here is a link to a popular brand I see quite often around here

http://www.eaglenonesuch.com/
To be honest that brand is quite discusting, it doesn't taste anything like mincemeat. The best mincemeat needs to be made with suet, I wanted to do it homemade last year to make mincepies, but I couldn't find any suet so I ended up using 2 brands in jars, one is Robertson's, you can find it in World market, any Indian store, and some supermarkets, the other one is find in Whole food, I forgot the name, it's not cheap but definitly superieur.I added some brandy to it and it was delicious!