Name: Cherry and fig mincemeat
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 350g sultanas; 100g died cherries; 100g chopped dates; 100 ml cherry brandy; 150g mixed peels; 100g dark muscovado sugar; Grated zest and juice of 1 lemon; Grated zest and juice 1 orange; 4 fresh figs, chopped; 1 tsp mixed spice; 1 tsp ground cinnamon; ½ tsp ground cloves; ½ tsp ground star anise; 150 ml cherry juice; When cooled:; 2 Tbsp cherry brandy; 2 Tbsp orange liqueur (Cointreau)

Cherry and fig mincemeat

6 Dec 2022

by Dinna

Prep Time

5 minutes

Cook Time

25 minutes

Total Time

30 minutes

Background

This cherry and fig mincemeat is vegan, gluten-free and nut-free. It’s quite boozy though but you can substitute the alcohol with orange or cherry juice. This version is perfect for middle-eastern Christmas cakes, pies and treats. Before jarring, you can add ½ cup chopped pistachios or almonds if nuts are not an issue for you. You can read more about mincemeat here>>

Ingredients

350g sultanas
100g died cherries
100g chopped dates
100 ml cherry brandy
150g mixed peels
100g dark muscovado sugar
Grated zest and juice of 1 lemon
Grated zest and juice 1 orange
4 fresh figs, chopped
1 tsp mixed spice
1 tsp ground cinnamon
½ tsp ground cloves
½ tsp ground star anise
150 ml cherry juice
When cooled:
2 Tbsp cherry brandy
2 Tbsp orange liqueur (Cointreau)

Instructions

Put the sultanas and cherries into a large mixing bowl. Add the brandy and mix well. Put a lid on and soak overnight.
The next day transfer the mixture into a heavy-based saucepan and add all the other ingredients (expect the last 3). Bring to the simmer and gently cook until the liquid has almost completely reduced. After about 15-20 minutes you should get a thick, sticky jam-like mixture.
Turn the heat off and let it cool.
When completely cool, add the alcohol (if you don’t want too much booze, add some orange juice instead - about 2 Tbsp).
Spoon the mincemeat into two sterilised jars, seal them and store these in a cool place. When opened, keep the jar in the fridge.