English Heritage Mincemeat

Ingredients and Weight:

• 1 pound lean ground beef, 80% lean or higher
• 1/2 pound sweet onion, chopped (about 1 cup)
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 Granny Smith apple, peeled and diced (about 1 cup)
• 1 carrot, peeled and diced (about 1/2 cup)
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
• 1/4 cup brandy (optional)

Preparation Time:

15 minutes

Cooking Time:

1 hour

Difficulty Level:

2 (Simple)

Preparation Method Steps:

1. Brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat. Drain off any excess fat.
2. Add the onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
3. Stir in the flour, brown sugar, rosemary, thyme, salt, and pepper. Cook for 1 minute.
4. Add the apple, carrot, cranberries, walnuts, and brandy (if using). Stir well.
5. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 1 hour, or until the mixture is thickened and the vegetables are tender.
6. Serve warm or cold on toast, scones, or pastries.

Nutritional Information:

Per serving (1/8 of the recipe):

• Calories: 250
• Fat: 10 grams
• Saturated Fat: 4 grams
• Cholesterol: 50 milligrams
• Sodium: 350 milligrams
• Carbohydrates: 30 grams
• Fiber: 5 grams
• Sugars: 15 grams
• Protein: 15 grams

Dish Characteristics:

• Savory and sweet
• Warm and comforting
• Perfect for a winter holiday meal
• Can be made ahead of time

User Comments:

• "This mincemeat is delicious and so easy to make! I love the combination of flavors."
• "This is the best mincemeat I've ever had. It's so flavorful and not too sweet."
• "I made this mincemeat for my family and they loved it. It's a great way to use up leftover vegetables."
• "I used this mincemeat in a pie and it was a huge hit with my guests."
• "This mincemeat is so versatile. I've used it in pies, tarts, and even cookies."

Special Precautions and Tips:

• Be sure to use lean ground beef so that the mincemeat is not too greasy.
• If you don't have brandy, you can substitute apple cider or orange juice.
• This mincemeat can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• If you are using this mincemeat in a pie, be sure to pre-bake the pie crust to prevent it from becoming soggy.