Mince Pies. No. 1.

Ingredients

• 4 pounds lean boiled beef, chopped fine
• 8 pounds chopped green tart apples
• 1 pound chopped suet
• 3 pounds raisins, seeded
• 2 pounds currants, picked over, washed, and dried
• ½ pound citron, cut up fine
• 1 pound brown sugar
• 1 quart cooking molasses
• 2 quarts sweet cider
• 1 pint boiled cider
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 1 tablespoon pepper
• 1 tablespoon mace
• 1 tablespoon allspice
• 4 tablespoons cinnamon
• 2 grated nutmegs
• 1 tablespoon cloves
• 1 pint good brandy
• 1 pint Madeira wine

Directions

1. Cook 4 pounds of lean beef in just enough water to cover it until tender, skimming off the scum.

2. Season with salt and pepper, then boil until almost dry, allowing the juices to return to the meat.

3. Let the meat cool, then remove bones and gristle before chopping.

4. In a large bowl, mix the chopped beef with apples, suet, raisins, currants, citron, brown sugar, molasses, sweet cider, boiled cider, salt, pepper, mace, allspice, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.

5. Warm the mixture on the stove until heated through, then remove from heat.

6. Once nearly cool, stir in the brandy and Madeira wine.

7. Transfer to a crock, cover tightly, and store in a cold place.