We made our own mincemeat back in October using beef suet. At least one jar was destined to be made into Christmas mince pies. Historically these have been known by other names and famously were made with actual meat I like the idea of using the title “December” or “Christmas” pies as this is the only time we eat them.
I prefer shortcrust pastry, crumbly and rich with butter. Served with double cream flavoured with whisky.
We have tried mincemeat and fruit cake and Christmas pudding on our Spanish friends and I would say that they don’t like any of them. It must be an alien and acquired taste. They are mostly polite but the exchanged glances and unfinished plates tell the story. To be fair these rich, dark concoctions also divide many of our English friends.
