Mincemeat filling

[kristadb]

Is mincemeat filling vegetarian? My bf thought that it was merely fruits and spices. I thought there was actual meat in it.

Anyone know?

If it is meat'ed, anyone have a vegetarian filling to share?

[chiaraluna]

Many mincemeat recipes are vegetarian -- many call for suet (raw beef or mutton fat ), but it is my understanding that it is by no means an integral part of the recipe.

Here are a couple of vegetarian recipes I found online:

Vegetarian Mincemeat

Ingredients:

3 large Red Delicious apples, peeled, cored and diced
1/2 cup chopped figs
1/2 cup chopped dates
2 tablespoons sunflower seeds
1/4 cup chopped walnuts
1/4 cup maple syrup
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
Directions:

In a heavy saucepan, simmer all ingredients over medium heat for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. The mincemeat will keep, covered and refrigerated, for approximately 1 week. Put this vegetarian mincemeat in a pretty jar or crock and give it to friends and family with a sweet tooth. It can be heated and served plain or can be used as an ice cream topping, as a pie filling (this recipe will fill 1 pie), or as an unusual stuffing for acorn squash.

Serves: 4

Mincemeatless

Ingredients:

3 lbs. apples, cored, peeled and chopped
1 large, or 2 small oranges, juice and peel
1 large lemon, juice and peel
1 pint (or about 1 1/2 bottles) apple cider
1 lb (2 2/3 cups) brown sugar (suggest Demerara)
1 tbsp. ground cinnamon
1 tbsp. grated nutmeg
1 tsp. ground cloves
1 lb. (2 2/3 cups) raisins (California seedless or Thompson)
1 lb. (2 2/3 cups) currants
8 oz. (1 1/3 cups) glace cherries - halved (optional)
at least 4 fl. oz of dark rum.
Directions:

In saucepan, (you'll need about a 5 qt. Dutch oven or similar for this) bring apples, juice and rinds of citrus (peeled thin or with the white skived off with a knife) to a boil in the cider, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes.

Stir in sugar, spices, raisins and currants. When sugar has dissolved, simmer about 20 to 30 minutes, or until enough liquid has steamed off to reduce mixture to a desirable consistency for a pie or tart filler. Remove from heat and stir in cherries (if using) and add rum. Taste when cooled and adjust rum, and/or add a little brandy.

If you're one of those organized people that does this stuff way ahead of time, spoon it into jam jars and seal with paraffin -- not the ski-wax stuff.

Source: nice lady in a bar + natural intuition

Note: I am offering this recipe because I started looking for a meatless substitute for the suet-based commercial mincemeat last year when my vegetarian daughter (for 4 years now) turned down her favorite Christmas dessert. I had not been so surprised since I checked the label of a Lea & Perrins Worcestershire sauce bottle and found that it contained anchovies. I now do a very decent Caesar salad dressing without anchovies or raw eggs.

I suppose it may be possible I was not able to find a vegetarian "mincemeat" on any of the Internet search engines because it's called something I couldn't think of, but --- if you haven't got this, or something like it, enjoy. It works!

I presume vegans have their own conforming pastry recipes. I customarily used about 3/4 vegetable shortening and 1/4 butter for the fat content, but I've been substituting non-hydrogenated margarine lately without any complaints from diners.

(Edited to remove "Grandma's Recipe..." Complete with rib roast. )

[kristadb]

How about the prepackage kinds? or should I just make from scratch and be a real woman?

[kristadb]

I just went looking around and, indeed, mincemeat pie recipes and pie fillings (purchased) contain meat.

Who the bloody devil puts meat in a backed good??!????!?!?!??!?!!?

[kristadb]

Since when is rib roast vegetarian? lol

you been drinking again?

The middle one sounds good - thanks. I'll try that one. You can have the rib roast one. (I'm going to tease you forever about this)

[chiaraluna]

Yeah, I accidentally lied before changing my post. I really never HAD heard of a non-veggie mincemeat recipe, but as soon as I ran a search for recipes, I found that apparently suet is in all of the "traditional" recipes. With that in mind, I doubt that the prepackaged kinds are safe.

[chiaraluna]

Since when is rib roast vegetarian? lol

you been drinking again?

Rib roast?

[kristadb]

it's in "grandma's recipe" above lol

[chiaraluna]

EGAD! I didn't even see that! I need some sleep.

[kristadb]

ROFL I can't stop laughing.

My bf is snickering at you, too. Go to bed, dear