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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.

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....

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.

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

Thanks everyone, I’ll use the
Mincemeat x

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!

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.

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 (not just a year or two out of date...)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.

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.

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

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.

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! ?

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.

Abitbarmy Sun 23-Oct-22 18:45:19

Thanks Witzend, I’ve got it all in jars now. I put another glug of brandy in for luck!

Witzend Sun 23-Oct-22 16:20:01

I put the brandy in at the beginning the first time I made it - didn’t realise until later - I don’t think it made any difference.

As long as the jars have been sterilised, I doubt it’ll matter if the mix goes in cold.

Abitbarmy Sat 22-Oct-22 19:21:27

Ok so I’ve been having a go at this but I put the brandy in with all the rest of the ingredients at the beginning, will it matter? Should I put another lot in when it cools? Also why isn’t it packed when it’s hot into hot sterilised jars as you would with jam? I’ve got hot jars waiting in the oven, shall I leave them and do it all cold in the morning? Should I just have another glass of wine and give up on home-made mincemeat? I should definitely read the whole recipe at the beginning of the exercise and not speed read!

Davida1968 Tue 18-Oct-22 13:19:40

We've had a GoodGrips zester for years - can recommend it!

Witzend Tue 18-Oct-22 10:22:43

I made 2 lots last year, both with trad suet and with veggie ditto, for veggie family. TBH they didn’t really taste any different, not to me, anyway.

B9exchange Mon 17-Oct-22 22:09:56

I use a parmesan grater for zest, very quick and doesn't take any of the bitter pith with it. Also very fine as I don't like large pieces.

Norah Mon 17-Oct-22 22:02:06

I use the slow cooker, no suet though, I use a vegan recipe.

mumofmadboys Mon 17-Oct-22 21:54:35

Thanks Witzend. I'll look out for one

Witzend Sun 16-Oct-22 22:51:28

PS, it was a godsend when recently making the annual mega lemon meringue pie for dh’s birthday (11 for lunch) last Sunday - 3 large lemons to zest!

Witzend Sun 16-Oct-22 22:49:24

mumofmadboys

Witzend please tell me about your gadget. I still use a box grater. TIA.

This is it - about 14 cm long.
I think it was by Good Grips - if you Google Good Grips Citrus Zester (or similar) it’ll probably come up.
Mine was £7 in the local dept. store.
It’ll do long curls as well as zesting, but I’ve never needed those.

choughdancer Sun 16-Oct-22 20:58:34

I usually make Nigella's cranberry mincemeat - delish! www.nigella.com/recipes/star-topped-mince-pies

nandad Sun 16-Oct-22 20:50:04

I have been making Delia’s mincemeat for years. This year I made it early because I had been given some Bramleys and used the slow cooker. It turned out well, only cooked it for a couple of hours. The one change I make is to use vegetarian suet, which is drier, so I compensate with alcohol!

Esmay Sun 16-Oct-22 20:42:13

I used to make mincemeat from scratch - now I add some mashed banana and finely cut apple plus a little more spice and zest to a commercial brand .

mumofmadboys Sun 16-Oct-22 19:23:06

Witzend please tell me about your gadget. I still use a box grater. TIA.