Holiday Traditions - Mincemeat Pie

We enjoy a good throwback, so in 2015 we re-created BA’s Thanksgiving menu circa 1974-Jell-O mold and all-and found a sleeper hit: this mincemeat pie recipe. Its crust is golden brown and flaky and the filling is deeply fruity and laced with warm spices.

And before you ask, no, you do not need to make it with meat. Mincemeat pie, more commonly called mince pie in the UK, boasts one of the more confusing recipe names out there. In the Middle Ages, chopped meat, liver, or fish, along with chopped hard-boiled eggs and ginger were tucked into small pastries called chewette, according to the “Oxford Companion to Food.” Dried fruits were commonly added and by the 16th century, the name changed to minced or shred pies, which were made for Christmas as they still are today. Fast-forward to the 19th century and meat had mostly disappeared from mincemeat. And before you ask, no, you do not need to make it with meat. Mincemeat pie, more commonly called mince pie in the UK, boasts one of the more confusing recipe names out there. In the Middle Ages, chopped meat, liver, or fish, along with chopped hard-boiled eggs and ginger were tucked into small pastries called chewette, according to the “Oxford Companion to Food.” Dried fruits were commonly added and by the 16th century, the name changed to minced or shred pies, which were made for Christmas as they still are today. Fast-forward to the 19th century and meat had mostly disappeared from mincemeat.

subheading: Ingredients:

subheading: MINCEMEAT FILLING:

2 large Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, chopped

1 cup apple cider

1 cup candied red cherries

⅔ cup dark brown sugar

½ cup dried apricots, chopped

½ cup dried cherries

½ cup dried cranberries

½ cup dried currants

½ cup dried figs, chopped

1 tablespoon finely grated orange zest

½ cup fresh orange juice

½ cup golden raisins

½ cup raisins

¼ cup schmaltz or unsalted butter

½ teaspoon ground allspice

½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

½ teaspoon ground ginger

¼ teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg

¼ teaspoon ground cloves

¼ teaspoon kosher salt

1 cup dark rum, divided

subheading: PIE AND ASSEMBLY:

2 to 4 tart apples, diced (about 2 to 4 cups)

1 to 2 tablespoon bourbon or brandy

2 to 4 batches Actually Perfect Pie Crust

Whipped cream (for serving; optional)

Note: Ingredients may have been altered from the original.

Directions at bonappetit.com

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