The historical past of mincemeat itself is as wealthy as this fruit-filled bread. Mincemeat was first created as a way of preserving meat, however across the nineteenth century, the meat was neglected, and finally, it turned the fruity combination recognized immediately. The historical past of mince wreaths and pies could be traced again to the Crusades, across the eleventh to thirteenth centuries. European Crusaders introduced again spices, fruits, and meats to England from the Center East. Making mince pies was tacked on to Christmas celebrations, and the pies had been made to resemble Jesus within the manger, with a small doughy “child” within the heart. The cloves, cinnamon, and nutmeg symbolize the three presents the Magi dropped at honor the start of Jesus. As mincemeat recipes modified with the omission of meat, quite a lot of spiritual symbolism was misplaced from it as effectively. Nonetheless, some traditions can’t be erased, so take pleasure in a slice of this braided magnificence on every day of the 12 days of Christmas for the great luck that it’s stated to convey.
- Do-It-All Dough
- ⅔ cup (147 grams) firmly packed darkish brown sugar
- 1 medium apple (200 grams), peeled and finely chopped
- ⅔ cup (107 grams) raisins
- ½ cup (77 grams) candied orange peel, fi nely chopped
- ½ cup (66 grams) dried currants
- ¼ cup (60 grams) water
- 3 tablespoons (45 grams) brandy
- 2 teaspoons (2 grams) orange zest
- 1 teaspoon (1 gram) lemon zest
- 2 teaspoons (10 grams) recent lemon juice
- 1½ teaspoons (3 grams) floor cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon (2 grams) floor coriander
- ½ teaspoon (1 gram) floor nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon (1 gram) floor allspice
- ¼ teaspoon floor cloves
- All-purpose flour, for dusting
- 3 tablespoons (60 grams) apricot preserves
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Line a small baking sheet with parchment paper.
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Evenly punch down Do-It-All Dough. Press right into a 10×6-inch rectangle, and switch to ready pan. Cowl and refrigerate for at the least 1 hour or as much as in a single day.
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In a big bowl, mix brown sugar, apple, raisins, candied orange peel, currants, ¼ cup (60 grams) water, brandy, orange zest, lemon zest and juice, cinnamon, coriander, nutmeg, allspice, and cloves. Cowl and let stand for 1 hour.
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Switch sugar combination to a medium saucepan; convey to a boil over medium-low warmth, stirring steadily till sugar dissolves. Prepare dinner, stirring steadily, till barely thickened, 10 to fifteen minutes. Take away from warmth, and let cool barely. Cowl and refrigerate till chilly, at the least 1 hour or as much as in a single day.
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Prove dough onto a evenly floured floor, and roll right into a 16×11-inch rectangle, with one lengthy facet closest you. Unfold fruit combination onto dough, leaving a ¼-inch border on all sides. Beginning with one lengthy facet, roll up dough into a decent log, and pinch seam to seal. Place roll, seam facet down , on work floor. Utilizing a bench scraper or sharp knife, lower roll in half lengthwise; flip halves lower facet up. Fastidiously cross strands over one another to create an “X” form. Twist prime half of “X” twice; repeat with backside half of “X.” Place a sheet of parchment paper on work floor. Fastidiously transfer twist to parchment, shaping right into a wreath, and tuck ends below. Switch wreath on parchment to a rimless baking sheet. Cowl and let rise in a heat, draft-free place (75°F/24°C) till puffed, 1 hour to 1 hour and quarter-hour.
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Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C).
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Bake till golden brown and an instant-read thermometer inserted close to heart registers at the least 190°F (88°C), 30 to 40 minutes.
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In a small microwave-safe bowl, warmth preserves on excessive till fluid, about 30 seconds. Utilizing a pastry brush, brush preserves onto sizzling wreath. Let cool on pan for quarter-hour. Take away from pan, and let cool fully on a wire rack. Retailer in an hermetic container for as much as 5 days, or refrigerate in an hermetic container for as much as 2 weeks.
PRO TIP You’ll be able to substitute 1 (27-ounce) jar ready mincemeat for the cooled cooked fruit combination that’s ready in steps 3 and 4.
