Mince Meat Pie

Here's a recipe by request! When I first received this request for mince meat pie, I thought this dessert was too decandent to be included in a group of healthy recipes. Then, I reviewed the recipe, and reconsidered. This mince meat has no meat - so it's more correctly called a "mock" mince pie. Also, this pie has lots of fruit, with minimal sugar ... well, minimal sugar for a dessert. I generally make mince pie filling in mid summer when green tomatoes are readily available, making about a gallon of pie filling, then can it for use in the fall. However, I've also made just one pie's worth in the fall - like today's recipe - and used just apples when green tomatoes aren't available. Either way, the mince mixturer cooks up rich and spicy, just like the pies I remember from my childhood visits to rural Michigan.



Ingredients:

2 medium size tart apples
2 medium size green tomatoes, or use 2 additional tart apples
1-1/2 cups raisins
1 tsp orange zest
1/2 cup fresh orange juice
1/2 cup apple juice
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp ginger
1/4 tsp cloves
2 Tbs crushed crackers
2 Tbs brandy
two crust pie crust

Directions:

Pare, core, and chop the apples and tomatoes. Mix the apple/tomato mixture together with the raisins, orange zest, and juices in a stainless steel saucepan. Cover, bring to a simmer and cook about 5 minutes, until the apples are soft. Stir in the sugars, spices, and crackers. Either keep mixture in the non-reactive stainless steel pan or pour into a glass bowl. Cover and refrigerate for between 2 and 4 days.

When ready to cook your pie, preheat the oven to 450 F. Stir the brandy into the mixture before adding to the pie shell. Line a pie pan with one of the pie crusts. Add the mince mixture, and cover with an upper crust. If you have time, this pie looks very nice with a lattice crust. Bake for 30 minutes.

Stealthy Cooking Tip: Desserts have their place in a healthy diet. It's portion size and variety that are important. This pie can be cut into 6 pieces or 8 pieces. Cut it into 8 pieces, and you'll be cutting your portion size. Also, share this pie with friends and family. Everyone gets one piece! Tomorrow have something different - fresh fruit, anyone?