mincing one's words

Last week I - belatedly - made my mincemeat.

I absolutely adore suet and would never say a word against it, however I think a mince pie only really benefits from suet when eaten hot. Perhaps I imagine it, but when cold I feel there is a slightly claggy, mouth-coating sensation that I don't think necessarily enhances my enjoyment. It should also be added that I have never said no to a mince pie, so my pedantry is merely whim-shaped; for the sake of doing something *exactly* as I like it. And as I librarian, I don't feel the need to apologise for this.

Well, there are my prejudices - for this year at least - and the justification for a wonderful suet-free version. Nigella's, in fact.

Having rather poo-pooed* the idea of making mince pies in 'How to eat'**, Nigella then does a volte face in her next book, ('Domestic goddess') putting the mincemeat recipe second as "I thought I'd make you want to have it". Interestingly, the pastry recipe is the same in her later 'Feast' - so good it needs no update. I agree.

(For completists: despite having devoured every book the lady has written, I drew the line at her Christmas book so can't vouch for any mince pie polemic therein.)

I thoroughly enjoyed making the pastry - no doubt unconsciously looking every bit like my mother, Mrs I., as I banged about with flour and rolling pin - feeling like a woman fulfilled as I used the homemade mincemeat. And I hope my lovely colleagues enjoy the rich, nutty, alcohol-tinted result, in their raggedy carriage of pastry.

In other culinary Christmas news, here is a link to an article about deep fried Christmas cake, courtesy of Bertie Blue. Would I eat this? Absolutely!
Would you?



*this term looks strange typed out: if it is the spelling that is wrong, please correct me - however, the word itself stays. It feels both comedic and appropriate.

** "Mince pies, I feel, are a bit like Christmas pudding: you may as well buy in." p.68 'How to eat'.