Extra Mince Pies

Ingredients

• 3 pounds lean beef, boiled and chopped fine
• 1 pound beef suet, chopped fine
• 5 pounds apples, peeled, cored, and chopped
• 1 pound sultana raisins, picked and washed
• 2 pounds raisins, seeded and chopped
• 2 pounds currants, washed
• ¾ pound citron, chopped fine
• 2 tablespoons cinnamon
• 2 tablespoons mace
• 1 nutmeg, grated
• 1 tablespoon ground allspice
• 1 tablespoon ground cloves
• 1 tablespoon coarse sea salt (formerly 'bay salt')
• 2½ pounds brown sugar
• 1 quart sweet cider or good sherry wine
• 1 pint good brandy

Directions

1. Boil the beef until tender, then chop it finely once cooled.

2. Chop the beef suet very fine.

3. Prepare the apples by peeling, coring, and chopping them.

4. Pick and wash the sultana raisins.

5. Seed and chop the raisins.

6. Wash the currants in several waters.

7. Chop the citron finely.

8. In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients: beef, suet, apples, sultana raisins, raisins, currants, citron, cinnamon, mace, nutmeg, allspice, cloves, salt, brown sugar, cider or sherry, and brandy.

9. Mix well and let it stand for at least 24 hours before using.

10. Store the mince meat in stone jars, well covered, in a cool place for winter use.