This week we’re sharing our favourite Christmas dishes from Neven Maguire’s Complete Family Cookbook
Today’s recipe? MacNean’s Mincemeat…
“Not surprisingly, my Auntie Maureen is the champion of this Maguire classic.” says Neven. “Before she retired, she was a domestic science teacher in Cavan, and I don’t believe she ever had a pupil who didn’t learn how to make her marvelous mincemeat pies. Once you’ve made it yourself, you’ll never buy another jar of the stuff again.”
Why not make twice the amount of mincemeat and put it into some sterilised fancy jars, then wrap with a red ribbon and give a jar to your friends for a Christmas gift?
MAKES ABOUT 4 X 400G (14OZ) JARS
225g (8oz) butter
350g (12oz) eating apples, peeled,
cored and finely chopped
225g (8oz) raisins
225g (8oz) sultanas
225g (8oz) currants
175g (6oz) blanched almonds, chopped
175g (6oz) dark brown sugar
100g (4oz) candied citrus peel
finely grated rind of 1 orange
finely grated rind of 1 lemon
1 tsp ground cinnamon
½ tsp ground nutmeg
½ tsp ground cloves
½ tsp fine salt
300ml (½ pint) whiskey
Melt the butter in a small pan or in the microwave. Mix all the ingredients together in a large bowl and cover with a clean tea towel.
Leave for 2 days for the flavours to develop, then pack into 4 x 400g (14oz) sterilised, dry jars. Seal and store in a cool, dark place for 3 weeks before use.
Neven Maguire’s Complete Family Cookbook (300 Life Saving Recipes for Super-Busy Parents) is available now in all good bookshops, €29.99.
