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Christmas

Anyone else making Delia’s mincemeat?

(37 Posts)
Witzend Sun 16-Oct-22 11:06:19

I’ve just realised that I ought to be getting on with it - enough jars saved up, I think. I still have some from last year but might well be asked again to make some for the Gdcs’ school fair.

Last year for the fair I put a pastry star on top of each - rather than risk lids that end up looking a bit untidy once out of the oven.
Dh and I get through a lot anyway, though I never make any until 1st December - we wouldn’t have the willpower to be only moderately piggy if I started any earlier.

Mamardoit Sun 23-Oct-22 19:01:31

I will put a glug of brandy in last years Delia's MM before I use it. I will make more though. I love the smell of the citrus fruit when it cooks.

Witzend Sun 23-Oct-22 19:23:02

Mamardoit, me too, and I absolutely love the smell of Christmas pudding when I’m mixing it up - orange and lemon zest, spices and ale - ditto after it’s had its first steaming. The smell of Christmas! ?

Shirleyw Sun 30-Oct-22 05:42:44

I think it’s because the mincemeat has to cool for the suet to be well combined by stirring every so often on cooling so it dosent set in a clump. Then you add the brandy . Also cooled sterilised jars are better as the suet will melt
again if put in hot jars.

Iam64 Sun 30-Oct-22 08:22:07

I make Delia’s mincemeat every year. I don’t think I will this year, with no mr i here to enjoy it.

I cleared a cupboard this week and found two jars from last year. Are they usable or should I bin them

Maggiemaybe Sun 30-Oct-22 08:44:15

They’ll be absolutely fine, Iam. I only make mincemeat (Delia’s of course!) every other year because we don’t use a lot. DS’s light puddings always go down well though, even with people who don’t like the full-blown Christmas pudding, and I need some for these, as well as for the pies.

MaizieD Sun 30-Oct-22 08:55:22

Iam64

I make Delia’s mincemeat every year. I don’t think I will this year, with no mr i here to enjoy it.

I cleared a cupboard this week and found two jars from last year. Are they usable or should I bin them

I wouldn't like to tell you how old some of the mincemeat I've used over the years has been! (not just a year or two out of date...)

Suffice it to say that no-one who has eaten my mince pies has died..

I'm intrigued by cooking mincemeat before putting it into jars. The recipe I tried last year didn't involve any cooking.

M0nica Sun 30-Oct-22 09:23:25

I make my mincemeat to a recipe given to me by a friend and adapted to be completely nut free as DGD has a nut allergy.

lixy Sun 30-Oct-22 10:55:53

Mincemeat made and the jars are right at the back of the top cupboard so I don't get tempted before Christmas Eve.

I also made the Apricot Chutney while I had the book out, and the Christmas cake is currently in the oven so the house smells very good!

Iam64 Sun 30-Oct-22 11:38:21

Thanks everyone, I’ll use the
Mincemeat x

Ilovecheese Sun 30-Oct-22 17:51:16

I had used most of my candies peel in the cake and couldn't find any more so have added chopped dried apricots to the mincemeat instead. Delia's recipe apart from that small change. Quite nice though, given it a bit of a tang.

Davida1968 Fri 02-Dec-22 16:54:26

DH will be making Delia's mincemeat, but always adds more nuts. Teensy problem might be that someone (me) gave away most of the jam jars....