True Mince Meat Pie Recipes

MINCE PIES

Steps:

• In a large bowl, mix flour and salt; cut in shortening until crumbly. Gradually add ice water, tossing with a fork until dough forms a ball. Divide dough in half. Shape each into a disk; wrap and refrigerate 1 hour or overnight., For filling, in a large skillet or Dutch oven, cook beef over medium heat until no longer pink, 3-5 minutes, breaking into crumbles; drain. Add apples, apricot, brown sugar, raisins, apple juice, vinegar, orange zest and seasonings. Bring to a boil; reduce heat. Simmer until apples are tender, 15-17 minutes. Stir in rum. Remove from heat; cool slightly., Preheat oven to 375°. On a lightly floured surface, roll half of dough to 1/8-in. thickness. Cut 20 circles with a floured 2-3/4-in. round biscuit cutter. Top half the circles with 1 tablespoon filling. Top with remaining circles; press edges with a fork to seal. Cut slits in top. Brush tops with egg; sprinkle with coarse sugar. Repeat with remaining dough and filling., Bake until crust is golden brown and filling is bubbly, 20-25 minutes. Cool on a wire rack.

TRUE MINCE MEAT PIE

Steps:

• 1. Pre Heat oven to 350'F 9-inch pie plate
• 2. At least 4 hours before making pie, prepare the mincemeat: In a large pot, combine meat, and cider, raisins, and cherries or currants (prefer currants), and spices.
• 3. Cover and heat to boiling over high heat. Reduce heat to low and simmer 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• 4. (Mincemeat can be made up to 3 months ahead and frozen. If frozen, thaw mincemeat before making pie or baking time will be lengthened, or canned.)
• 5. Meanwhile, prepare pastry and refrigerate until ready to use-at least 30 minutes.
• 6. Meanwhile, prepare pastry and refrigerate until ready to use-at least 30 minutes. Divide pastry into 3 equal pieces. Press 2 pieces together and shape into a ball. Between 2 sheets of waxed paper, roll out ball of pastry into an 11 -inch round. Remove top sheet of paper and invert pastry into 9-inch pie plate, letting excess extend over edge. Remove bottom sheet of paper. Between sheets of waxed paper, roll out remaining pastry to a 9 1/2- by 6-inch rectangle. Remove top sheet of paper from pastry. Cut rectangle into four 9 1/2- by 1 1/2-inch strips. Carefully spoon mincemeat into crust-lined pie plate. Remove pastry strips from waxed paper, one at a time, and place across mincemeat to create spokes. All four strips will overlap in the center. Lift edge of bottom crust over ends of strips. Pinch together and flute edge. Place pie on rimmed baking sheet. Bake pie 50 to 55 minutes or until crust is lightly browned and filling bubbles. Cool 10 minutes on wire rack before cutting.