What s In A Mincemeat Pie
What's In A Mincemeat Pie?
Ingredients
Mincemeat pies have been around for centuries, but the ingredients have changed over time. The traditional ingredients include beef suet, apples, raisins, currants, sultanas, candied citrus peel, brandy or rum, spices and sugar. Today, some recipes replace the suet with butter, vegetable shortening or lard to make the pies a bit lighter. Many recipes also contain nuts, such as almonds and walnuts. Some mincemeat pies also contain beef, although this is not traditional. Some recipes also include dried cranberries for a tart flavor. All of these ingredients are mixed together, then spooned into a pastry shell and baked until the filling is set and the crust is golden brown.
Instructions
Making mincemeat pies is relatively easy. Begin by preheating your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease a pie dish with butter, and roll out your pastry dough until it is about ¼ inch thick. Line the pie dish with the pastry dough and trim the edges. In a large bowl, mix together the suet, apples, raisins, currants, sultanas, candied citrus peel, brandy or rum, spices and sugar. Spoon the mixture into the pastry shell. Cut a top pastry crust and place it over the filling. Crimp the edges to seal the pie. Bake in the preheated oven for about 45 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is set.
Decorating
Once the pie is done baking, you can decorate it with strips of pastry dough. Cut strips of dough and arrange them in a lattice pattern on top of the pie. Brush the dough with a beaten egg to give it a glossy finish. You can also use cookie cutters to cut out shapes from the remaining pastry dough. Place the shapes on top of the pie and brush with the beaten egg. If desired, sprinkle a bit of sugar on top of the dough before placing it in the oven.
Serving
Mincemeat pies are best served warm. Top the pie with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of ice cream for a delicious treat. The pies can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. They can also be frozen for up to three months.
Nutrition
Mincemeat pies are high in calories, fat and sugar. A single serving of mincemeat pie can contain between 300 and 400 calories, depending on the recipe. It also contains between 15 and 20 grams of fat and 15 to 20 grams of sugar. While it is high in calories, fat and sugar, mincemeat pies can still be enjoyed in moderation as part of a balanced diet.
