Mince-meat

Ingredients

• 3 large lemons
• 2-3 cups water
• 1 ¼ pounds beef suet, finely chopped
• 1 pound currants
• ¾ pound raisins, pitted
• 1 pound brown sugar
• ¼ pound blanched almonds, finely chopped
• ½ pound citron
• 1 large tumbler (about 1 ½ cups) brandy
• 1 pound chopped apples (pippins)
• spices: cloves, mace, nutmeg, ginger, cayenne pepper, and salt to taste
• ⅓ cup wine
• 1 quart cider

Directions

1. Squeeze the juice from the lemons and boil the rind and pulp in 2-3 cups of water to remove the bitterness.

2. Pound the boiled mixture in a mortar until smooth.

3. In a large bowl, combine the smooth lemon mixture with the beef suet, currants, raisins, brown sugar, almonds, citron, brandy, and chopped apples.

4. Season with cloves, mace, nutmeg, ginger, cayenne pepper, and salt to taste.

5. Stir in the wine and cider until well mixed.