Mince Pie

Ingredients

• 4 pounds tongue or tender beef
• 3 pounds suet
• 8 pounds chopped tart apples
• 3 pounds currants (washed, dried, and picked)
• 3 pounds seeded raisins (preferably Sultana raisins)
• 6 pounds white sugar (or brown if preferred)
• 2 pounds chopped citron
• Grated zest of 1 orange
• 1 ounce cinnamon
• ¼ ounce cloves
• ¼ ounce mace
• ¼ ounce allspice
• 4 grated nutmegs
• 1 quart Madeira wine
• 1 pint brandy
• Coarse sea salt (to taste)
• Sweet cider (if needed)

Directions

1. Boil the meat in salted water until tender.

2. Once cooled, chop the meat very finely.

3. Remove any membrane from the suet and chop it finely, then mix it with the meat.

4. Add just enough coarse sea salt to remove the fresh taste.

5. Incorporate the chopped apples, followed by the sugar, currants, raisins, spices, and other ingredients.

6. Mix everything well and cover tightly.

7. If the mixture is too dry before using, moisten it with a little sweet cider.