From the Holiday Hearth and Table

[Elaine Kessinger]

As the title suggests, let's share a favorite (documentably period, this is the AC after all) recipe often enjoyed at yuletide.

From: The Housekeeper's Assistant by Ann Allen, 1845
MINCE PIES WITHOUT MEAT.
6 lbs. of apples,
3 lbs. of suet,
3 lbs. of raisins,
1/2 pint of rose-water,
1/4 oz. of mace,
1/4 oz. of cinnamon,
1/4 oz. of cloves,
4 lbs. of currants,
4 lemons,
1/2 pint of orange-water.
3 lbs. of sugar.
Peel, skin, and salt the suet, and chop to a fine mince; chop the apples also, stone and chop the raisins, grate the rinds of the lemons in and squeeze the juice of only two in; have the currants washed and dried, then mix all together and bake in any number of puff paste preferred.

[Tyler Underwood]

Re: From the Holiday Hearth and Table

I know what Mrs. Underwood and I will be making for Christmas!

Did the author mention if you should use beef or mutton suet? I would assume beef as mutton might be a little strong.

[Elaine Kessinger]

Re: From the Holiday Hearth and Table

Mr. Underwood,
Mrs. Allen doesn't say which kind of suet to use. Her mince meat pie *with meat* features beef pieces... so my logic assumes beef suet, but ya know what they say about "assume". :-p

[Jeremy Bevard]

Re: From the Holiday Hearth and Table

My great grandma always had a baked macaroni and cheese dish at family dinners such as Christmas. Someone has usually kept that going. She had said she learned it from her mother.

Just last year I came across this recipe. Made it and was amazed that it is actually the same!

Godey's September 1861
Macaroni Cheese
6 oz of macaroni boiled and drained
Grate a 1/4 pound of rich cheese
Alternate layers of macaroni and then cheese. Finishing with cheese on top. All in a shallow quart pie dish.
Then take some milk with a little melted butter in it and pour it into the dish. Just enough so it can scarcely be seen.
Place some bits of butter on the top.
Bake in a very hot oven for about 30 minutes.