Fruit Mince-pies

Ingredients

• 1 pound dried currants
• 2 ounces citron, sliced
• 1 pound raisins, seeded
• 1 pound beef suet, finely chopped
• 2 pounds apples, chopped
• 1 lemon, grated rind and juice
• 1 orange, grated rind and juice
• 1 pound sugar
• ½ cup brandy
• ⅓ cup good port
• ground mace, to taste
• cinnamon, to taste
• cloves, to taste

Directions

1. Pick over, wash, and dry the currants with a towel.

2. Slice the citron and seed the raisins.

3. Remove skin and membrane from the beef suet and chop it finely.

4. Pare and core the apples, then chop them finely.

5. Grate the rind and squeeze the juice of the lemon and orange.

6. Mix all ingredients thoroughly.

7. Add sugar, brandy, port, and spices to taste.

8. If not using all the mince, pack it tightly in glass jars, add a round of paper dipped in brandy, and seal jars airtight.