I can't cook like my Grandma

[dareutwo]

AAAAAAAAAAhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh - another smoking stove !!!!
I can't figure this out.

Got a cookbook from my mother for Xmas - with her mother's (my grandmother) recipes.
Well so far, I suck at all of them!!! 0-8.

My grandmother died about 4 years ago so all I have left is memories, mostly childhood.

I can normally cook for 50+ people without a sweat, but I can't make a flippin minced meat pie (though the dogs are really happy!)

Would really like to make a mince meat pie for my father.
(yeah, I don't like them either, but hey, it's the Holidays and my Dad love them)

Any German cooks around in here???
I need some help

[Cleo]

I do the Microwave really well.

[amadman]

Mmmm... That brings back memories. Good Stuff!

I have no clue how to cook it though.

[fetish1]

Dare,

This is one I copied from the net ages ago...and it comes out quite tasty! Not my grannys by any means...but not bad either :-)


Mincemeat Filling (yields 3 qts)
1/2 lb beef suet, chopped fine
4 cups seedless raisins
2 cups dried currants
1 cup coarsely chopped almonds
1/2 cup coarsely chopped candied citron
1/2 cup coarsely chopped dried figs
1/2 cup coarsely chopped candied orange peel
1/4 cup coarsely chopped candied lemon peel
4 cups coarsely chopped, peeled and cored cooking apples
1 & 1/4 cups sugar
1 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp allspice
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp cloves
2 & 1/2 cups brandy
1 cup dry sherry
Combine the suet, raisins, currants, almonds, citron, figs, orange peel, lemon peel, apples, sugar, nutmeg, allspice, cinnamon, and cloves in a large mixing bowl and stir them together thoroughly.

Pour in the brandy and the sherry and stir with a large spoon until all the ingredients are moist.

Cover the bowl and set the ingredients aside in a cool place (do not refrigerate) for at least 3 weeks. Check the mixture each week and replenish the absorbed liquor with more brandy and sherry, using about 1/4 cup each time.

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

Place about 3 tbsp of mincemeat into each pastry shell and cover with sheet of pastry, crimping the edges with a fork.

Place the stuffed pies on a baking sheet and bake in the oven for 10 minutes. Reduce the heat to 350 degrees F and bake for an additional 20 minutes or until the crust is golden brown.

Let pies cool then remove from tin and serve with whipped cream or Brandy Butter.

[doll]

Not sure if this is what you are looking for but my mom made this every Xmas when I was growing up. But, its quick and easy. Hard to screw it up

1 lb ground pork
1/2 lb ground chuck
1 large onion chopped
1/4 tsp allspice
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp cloves
1/4 tsp nutmeg

Mix and cook with a little water on low heat 1 1/2 hours.

2 medium potatoes - boiled and mashed
Add to above mixture when cooked
Heat oven and Bake at 425 for 30 minutes

You can reheat it at 350 degrees , 45 minutes if needed.

salt and pepper to taste.

[Cleo]

MY mom, who wasn't a very good cook, use to make a meatless Mincemeat pie that I actually liked. She also did a rice pudding that I liked. Other then that her food was pretty bad. LOL

[fetish1]

LOL Doll thats probably more what he is looking for....I think thats one of the first recipes for mincemeat pie I have seen that doesn't need to sit for 2 1/2 to 3 weeks to prepare!! :-)

Great to see ya here! Hope to see lots more of you

[dareutwo]

Thanks fetish1 (hugs dear) and doll

I can't use any alcohol for the pie and I really don't want to wait 2 weeks, but next try I will be adding figs and orange peel, and turning the heat down 50 degrees and cooking for a bit longer.
And if that doesn't work, it'll be pre bake everything, and simply assemble everything and bake for 10 - 12 minutes.

It's not like the 3 I've made didn't turn out to be edible, just not what I remembered from my Grandma's house.

It's almost like I have the numbers for the combination lock, I just don't know the exact order.. LOL

[doll]

Even if you have 'grandma's recipe' and follow it to a T, it still won't taste the same.

I think the recipe I gave you is more of a Yankee thing. But, it doesn't take a month to make! lol

[digifan]

Thanks God that I am vegetarian... lol. Dairy products, egg and fish are fine with me tho but take less time to prepare for sure.

I hope I'll be a happy dog at Daroutwo in my next life.