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Pre-baked Mince Pies

A tray of mince pies.

A mince pie is a food popular in some cultures (most noticeably Great Britain) at Christmas time. Mince pies are a pastry casing containing mincemeat - a preserve typically containing apple, dried fruits such as raisins and sultanas, spices, and either suet or vegetable shortening. Modern mince pies generally do not contain any meat. Mince pies are often eaten cold, although they can be warmed. In Britain, a mince pie is considered to be the favourite food of Santa Claus and children often leave out a mince pie or two for Santa (which, according to some myths, is the reason he is overweight). Since the 16th century, mince pies have been served as part of a traditional British Christmas.

Early mince pie[]

'Mutton pie,' 'shrid pie,' and 'Christmas pie' were some of the early names for mince pies. Mince pies were originally savoury and were usually made up of minced beef, suet, a variety of fruits, and spices including cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. The savoury Christmas pie (as it became known) was associated with presumed Catholic 'idolatry' and was frowned upon by Puritan authorities during the English Civil War. Nonetheless, the custom of consuming Christmas pie in December persisted until the Victorian period, though the recipe had been sweeter and the pie's size had shrunk significantly from its former broad oblong shape. Mince pies weren't always circular - they used to be built like a crib or a coffin, which simply meant rectangular at the time.

Origin[]

Though mince pies are largely considered a British tradition, they originated in the Middle East in the 13th century. Returning European crusaders brought foods with them, including food, vegetables, and herbs, which sparked the idea for a mince pie. English explorers introduced mincemeat pie to New England in the 17th century. Although it was originally a Christmas pie, the Puritans, like the British, did not celebrate Christmas, so the pie's connections in the area shifted to the American Thanksgiving holiday.

Gallery[]

Video[]

British_Christmas_Mince_Pies_and_Mincemeat_Recipe

British Christmas Mince Pies and Mincemeat Recipe

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