Maine Venison Mincemeat Recipes

VENISON MINCEMEAT

Steps:

• Grind venison through the medium plate of a meat grinder.
• Grind suet through the fine plate of the meat grinder (you may need to grind the suet twice--there can be no smell of blood on it or it will spoil the mincemeat.).
• Peel and core the apples and chop them in a food processor.
• Place the ground meat and the apples in a large bowl and then mix in the rest of the ingredients, blending well.
• Pack mincemeat into a nonreactive container (such a glazed earthenware) and then cover container with a clean tea towel soaked in rum and then cover with plastic wrap or a lid.
• Store in refrigerator for a least a month to bind flavors together.
• The mincemeat will continue to develop for another 4 months or so and can then be stored indefinitely.
• This amount will make 3 pies. To make pies: prepare pie pastry (two crust pie), lining pie dishes with pastry. Pour filling into prepared pie dishes and cover with top crusts. Blend one egg and 1 tablespoon water and brush top crusts with egg wash. Cut vent holes in top crust. Bake pies at 350-degrees for 40-45 minutes our until golden brown.

CANADIAN NORTH WOODS VENISON MINCEMEAT

Steps:

• Cook the venison by boiling until lightly cooked.
• Mix the ingredients together in order to the meat stock. Stir and bring to a boil, then simmer for 2 slow hours.
• Add the remaining ingredients. Mix all together well. Cool slowly. Keeps very well in the freezer and can be taken out to make your favorite pie. Suggest freezing in portions for pie.
• Notes: in place of the 1 qt vinegar they found that their favorite variation was 1 pint of tarragon vinegar or 1 pint of port wine vinegar.
• In place of the molasses you can use pancake syrup or a good maple syrup [real]. They choice was the molasses.

VENISON MINCEMEAT

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, combine the venison, suet, brown sugar, molasses, cider, currants and raisins. Place over medium-low heat and cook, stirring occasionally, until the sugar is dissolved, about 5 minutes. Add the apples and orange zest and cook until the apples are tender, about 10 minutes. Add the remaining ingredients and cook another 15 minutes. Remove from the heat and cool. Will keep refrigerated for up to 5 days.

MINCEMEAT

Steps:

• Combine cinnamon, cloves, ginger, nutmeg, and allspice in a bowl. Reserve 1 heaped teaspoon for the mincemeat. Store the rest in a small jar for a later use.
• Inspect two 12-ounce jars for cracks and rings for rust, discarding any defective ones. Immerse in simmering water until mincemeat is ready. Wash new, unused lids and rings in warm soapy water.
• Combine apple, sultanas, sugar, currants, raisins, and butter in a saucepan. Cook over low heat and stir gently until butter has melted. Stir in chopped almonds, orange zest, 1 teaspoon of mixed spice, and cinnamon. Bring mixture to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, 5 to 10 minutes.
• Remove from heat and set mincemeat aside to cool down for 30 minutes. Stir in brandy. Spoon into sterilized jars.