Ingredients

  • *Mincemeat for pie needs to be made at least one month in advance
  • 1/2 pound beef suet, chopped
  • 3/4 pound raisins
  • 1/2 pound sultanas (golden raisins)
  • 3/4 pound Granny Smith apples, chopped
  • 3/4 pound currants
  • 3/4 pound brown sugar
  • 1/4 pound blanched almonds, chopped
  • 1/2 pound combined lemon and orange peel, chopped
  • 2 lemons, grated and juiced
  • Pulp of 1 vanilla bean
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 5/8 cup brandy
  • 4 cups flour, sifted
  • 1 1/2 cups cold, unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
  • 2 egg yolks
  • 1 tablespoon superfine sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 8 tablespoons ice water
  • 1/4 cups whipped heavy cream
  • 1/4 cups whole, hulled strawberries
  • Black pepper, to garnish

Method

  • Mincemeat: Make at least one month ahead.
  • Mix together first 15 ingredients.
  • Pack in sterile canning jars, pour in brandy, and seal according to jar manufacturer's instructions.
  • Pastry: Place flour in medium bowl.
  • Make well in center of flour and add butter, 1 egg yolk, sugar, salt and 2 tablespoons of the water to the well.
  • With fingertips, mix only these "well" ingredients together, then begin to work in the surrounding flour, adding ice water as needed.
  • Once combined, knead several times and place pastry on a plate.
  • Chill in the refrigerator for an hour or so.
  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
  • Cut pastry in half.
  • Roll 1 half to fit a 10-inch pie pan.
  • Prick all over with a fork.
  • Cut parchment paper to fit inside pastry shell.
  • Cover parchment evenly with dried beans or pie weights.
  • Bake for 15 minutes.
  • Remove paper and weights.
  • Allow pastry to cool.
  • Meanwhile, roll out the other pastry half so it is big enough to cover the pie.
  • Fill the cooled pastry crust with mincemeat.
  • Cover with unbaked pastry, crimp edges, glaze with the remaining egg yolk, and poke hole in center.
  • Bake for 30 minutes until golden brown.
  • Remove pie from oven and cool.
  • Before serving, cover with whipped cream and then strawberries.
  • Sprinkle strawberries with black pepper to enhance their sweetness.