Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Prepare pie pastry.
Spoon prepared mincemeat into
pastry-lined plate. Add additional brandy to your taste. Cover with remaining pastry and
flute. Cut slits in pastry so steam can escape. Cover edge with aluminum foil to prevent
excessive browning.
Bake pie 40 to 50 minutes or until crust is lightly browned. Remove aluminum foil during last 15 minutes of baking. Remove from oven and cool on a
wire rack before cutting and serving.
Serve warm or at room temperature.
NOTE: This pie stores well in the freezer.
Makes 8 servings.
Comments from readers:
Seasons greetings to you! I just wanted to thank you for
submitting a true recipe for mincemeat - one made with venison. I just
made my great g-ma's mincemeat today. It is highly sought out by friends
& family and has been a family tradition for over a hundred years that I
know of. After reading your recipe I added some fresh squeezed lemon and
orange juice plus the zest from them (before squeezing), cider vinegar,
and subbed rum for applejack brandy. Oh my God....heavenly!! I have a
wonderful friend who gives me the necks from the deer or elk. It has the
most tender flavorful meat, especially when cooked with cider vinegar,
whole clove, allspice, and a large bay leaf.
When we make our pies, we slice two (2) big tart apples into the
uncooked pastry shell tossed lightly with flour, cinnamon, dotted with
butter, and THEN top with the mincemeat and a couple tablespoons rum or
brandy and pastry. I think g-ma did this to stretch the mince supply -
plus non-mince lovers absolutely LOVE this pie! The only downfall of
making this so delectable to the doubtfuls is that the pie doesn't last
as long. :-)
Hope your holiday time is blessed beyond measure.
- Joy Chowning