How did mincemeat get its name?

Answer 1

Mincemeat was originally a conglomeration of bits of meat, dried fruit and spices, created as an alternative to smoking or drying for preservation, a variant form of sausage. Mincemeat containing actual meat has become less common over the years. The customary form today typically consists of raisins, spices, grated apple, and animal suet, though many commercial varieties use hard vegetable fat instead, making it completely vegetarian. Mincemeat may also contain currants, candied fruits, and brandy, rum or other liquor. This mixture can be made at home, but is also available either canned or bottled. The most common use is in the Christmas mince pie or mincemeat tart, but there are many kinds of pastry containing mincemeat. See also fruitmince. The first mincemeat factory was in Port Byron, New York, using a recipe patented by Dr. Julius Allen. His patent was voided in 1895.

Answer 2

Mincemeat depending on where you are from can mean minced beef, minced pork, minced fowl, or minced nut and fruit meats mixed with suet (beef fat). And there are a few "mincemeats" with no meat products [just fruit and nut "meats"].

Answer 3

This is a good recipe for mincemeat it makes about 2.5kg 1.6kg dried mixed fruit 225g cooking apples, peeled, cored and grated 100g blanched almonds, chopped 450g dark soft brown sugar 175g shredded beef suet 5ml grated nutmeg 5ml ground cinnamon grated rind and juice of 1 lemon grated rind and juice of 1 orange 300ml brandy or sherry 1. Put dried fruit, apples and almonds in a large bowl. Add the sugar, suet, spices, lemon and orange rinds and juice and brandy or sherry, then mix all the ingredients together thoroughly. 2. Cover the mincemeat and leave to stand for 2 days. Stir well, put into jars and cover. Allow at least 2 weeks to mature before using. *For mincemeat that will keep well, use a firm, hard type of apple, such as Wellington, a juicy apple such as Bramely's Seedling may make the mixture too moist.

Answer 4

Mincemeat is made from a mixture of different things. The major contents of mincemeat are dried and chopped up fruits, spices and distilled spirits. Some people will also add in chopped beef, beef suet or chopped venison.

Answer 5

Mincemeat is a mixture of currants, raisins, sugar, apples, candied citrus peel, spices, and suet, usually used in pies.

Answer 6

a pie with minced-meat and occasionally peas