Cranberry Jewelled Mincemeat Recipes

Steps:

• Peel, core and chop the apples, then put them in a large pan with the spices, sugar, citrus zests and juices. Bring to the boil then cover and simmer for about 10 mins until the apples start to soften. Add the cranberries, raisins and alcohol. Bringto the boil, stirring well, then reduce the heat and simmer for 20-30 mins, uncovered, until thickened. Stir in the apricots, nuts and tropical fruits. Remove from the heat, leave to cool, then pack into sterilised jars. Seal, label and keep for up to one month in the fridge, or six months in the freezer.

Steps:

• Cut the pastry in two. Wrap one half and set aside. On a surface lightly dusted with flour, roll out the other half to a square large enough to line a 22cm loose-bottomed fluted tart tin (we used a square tin, but a round one would also work). Press the pastry into the tin, leaving any excess hanging over the edge.
• Scatter the marzipan over the pie base. Add the mincemeat and top with the cranberries.
• Roll out the remaining pastry to a square (or circle) the thickness of a £1 coin. Use a pizza cutter to slice the pastry into 1.5cm-wide strips. Weave the pastry strips over the pie to create a lattice, pressing down at the edges to seal with the pastry base. Trim off any excess pastry. Chill for 20 mins and heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4.
• Bake for 45 mins until golden. Cool for 15 mins in the tin, then transfer to a plate or board and dust with the icing sugar.

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, combine sugar and cornstarch; stir in water. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Add cranberries; cook over medium heat until berries pop, about 15 minutes. Combine apples and mincemeat; spread over the bottom of pastry shell. Top with cranberry mixture., For topping, combine the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon and cloves in a small bowl; cut in butter until crumbly. Sprinkle over filling. Bake at 400° for 25-30 minutes or until crust is golden brown and filling is bubbly. Cool on a wire rack. Store in the refrigerator.

Steps:

• In a large pan, dissolve the sugar in the ruby port over a gentle heat.
• Add the cranberries and stir.
• Add the cinnamon, ginger and cloves, currants, raisins, dried cranberries and the zest and juice of the clementine.
• Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 20 minutes, or until the fruit has broken down and has absorbed most of the liquid in the pan. (You may need to squish the cranberries a little with the back of a wooden spoon to incorporate them fully.).
• Remove from the heat and allow to cool a little.
• Add the brandy, almond extract, vanilla extract and honey and stir well with a wooden spoon to mash the mixture down into a paste.
• Spoon the mincemeat into sterilised jars and, once cool, store in the fridge for up to two weeks.