Old-Time Mincemeat Pie

Ingredients

• 1.25 pounds round steak , cut into small pieces
• 1 cup apple cider
• 4 Grannys Smith apples - peeled , cored and finely diced
• 2.5 cups dried currants
• 2.5 cups raisins
• 1 jar sour cherry preserves , 16 ounce
• 1.33 cups white sugar
• 0.5 pounds chopped candied mixed fruit peel
• 0.5 cups butter
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 0.5 teaspoons ground cloves
• 0.5 teaspoons ground nutmeg
• 0.5 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 0.5 teaspoons salt
• 1 can pitted sour cherries , 16 ounce
• 1 package double-crust pie pastry , 14.1 ounce
• 2 tablespoons heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon white sugar , for sprinkling

Instructions

1. 1

   Combine steak and cider in a Dutch oven. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Cover and cook until steak is tender, about 20 minutes. Remove steak to a cutting board; coarsely chop, then return to the pot.

2. 2

   Stir in apples, currants, raisins, cherry preserves, 1 1/3 cups sugar, mixed fruit peel, and butter. Add ginger, cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, and salt. Simmer, uncovered, over low heat until mixture is very thick, about 1 hour 30 minutes. Stir in cherries and remove from heat.

3. 3

   Transfer filling to a container and allow to cool at room temperature. Cover tightly and refrigerate for at least 1 week before using.

4. 4

   Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

5. 5

   Line a 9-inch pie dish with 1 pastry crust. Spoon filling into crust and cover with second pastry crust. Crimp edges and cut several slits into top pastry. Brush with cream and sprinkle with 1 teaspoon sugar.

6. 6

   Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown, about 45 minutes.