BOOZY MINCEMEAT

Boozy mincemeat image

Provided by Ruth Watson

Categories Dessert

Time 40m

Yield Makes about 3.5kg/7lb

Number Of Ingredients 15

500g currant
500g muscatel or Californian raisin (or a mixture)
500g sultana
500g Bramley apple , peeled, cored and chopped fairly small
2x250g boxes shredded beef suet
100g whole blanched almond , coarsely chopped
350g natural demerara sugar
100g dark muscovado sugar
1 rounded tsp ground cinnamon
2 rounded tsp ground mixed spice
1 large, juicy lemon
250g whole mixed peel , chopped into small dice
125ml dark rum
125ml Disaronno Originale liqueur Disaronno
175ml French brandy

Steps:

Wash the dried fruit thoroughly in a colander under the cold tap (you may find it easier to do this in batches) - whatever it says on the packet, washing the fruit is something I've (Ruth Watson) always done. Tip the fruit on to clean tea towels and dry by patting in the cloths.
Put the dried fruit in a very large bowl with the apples, suet, almonds, sugars and spices. Grate the zest of the lemon into the bowl, then squeeze in the juice. Tip in the peel and the alcohol.
Mix all the ingredients very thoroughly - it's easiest to do this with your (very clean) hands.
Cover and leave to stand for 24 hours, asking the family to stop and give it a good stir with a spoon when they pass by.
Pack the mincemeat into sterilised or dishwasher-clean jars (Kilner jars are ideal) and top with greaseproof paper jam covers. Seal the jars tightly and store in a cool place. The mincemeat will last from one year to the next, but's best used within 6 months.