Homemade Mincemeat! Healthy Style!

Gather

• 100g raisins/currants/sultanas
• 1 earl grey or green jasmine teabag
• 100ml boiling water
• 2 drops orange extract
• 100g (8-10) dates
• 100ml boiling water
• 2 x dried figs (25g)
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon mixed spice

Prepare 

1. Put the raisins in a heatproof bowl. In a mug add the teabag and the boiling water. Add the extract and leave to infuse for 1 minute. Pour the tea over the raisins and leave to plump up.
2. De-stone the dates and pour the boiling water over them.
3. Chop the figs into small pieces and sprinkle over the cinnamon, nutmeg and mixed spice.
4. Drain the raisins (reserve the liquid) and add to the figs.
5. Blend the dates using a mini food processor or alternatively mash well with a fork. Stir the dates into the other fruit and mix well.
6. Check for consistency and add more liquid (reserved from raisins) if required.
7. Store in a sterilised jar. Use as required.
8. Enjoy!

Serve & Store

1. Make some pastry (I used 300g oat flour, 60g coconut oil and 120ml cold water), roll out, cut circles, place into a tin, spoon mincemeat in, put a pastry lid on using milk to seal edges(prick the top of the lid), brush the lids with milk and bake on a medium heat for 10-15 minutes.
2. Alternatively make a mincemeat slice (less time consuming) by making a pastry rectangle, putting mincemeat on top and adding another rectangle. Sprinkle nuts on top and a pinch of cinnamon.
3. Mincemeat muffins? Use your favourite muffin recipe and add a couple of spoons of mincemeat. Bake as normal.
4. Mincemeat should save for at least 2 months in the fridge!
5. Add other dried fruits such as apricots, pineapple, apple.
6. Swap the tea for apple juice, orange juice or something alcoholic!
7. Try adding some nuts – walnuts, almonds, hazelnuts.