Minced Meat for Pies

Ingredients

• 5 cups chopped beef (boiled tender)
• 2 cups uncooked suet (chopped, membrane and stringy portions removed)
• 3 cups stoned raisins (unc chopped)
• 1 cup English or dried currants
• 1 cup cherries (if available)
• 5 cups brown sugar
• 3½ cups water
• 2½ cups good vinegar
• 2 cups chopped citron
• 1 tablespoon ground cloves
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon ground nutmeg
• 1 tablespoon ground mace
• 1 tablespoon ground allspice
• 1 tablespoon coarse sea salt (formerly 'bay salt')
• grated rind and juice of 2 lemons
• chopped tart apples
• 2 cups strong tea

Directions

1. Boil the beef until tender and chop it.

2. Chop the suet after removing the membrane and stringy parts.

3. In a large bowl, combine the chopped beef, suet, raisins, currants, cherries, brown sugar, water, vinegar, citron, and spices.

4. Add the grated lemon rind and juice, and chopped apples.

5. Pour the strong tea over the mixture and stir well.

6. Taste and adjust spices or salt as desired.