Well the holidays are fast approaching and something I love about the Christmas season is all of the holiday baking and homemade cooking that taks place in kitchens around the world! I would like to take this opportunity to share my recipe for holiday mincemeat that makes fabulous mincepies.

You will need:

• 1 small cooking apple,
• 85g/3oz raisins,
• 85g/3oz currants
• 45g/1.5oz chopped almonds
• 1/2 tsp mixed spices,
• 85g/3oz brown sugar,
• 55g/2oz butter,
• 85g/3oz sultanas,
• 45g/1.5oz mixed peel/candied peel,
• Zest of one large lemon,
• 1tblsp brandy
• 1 banana - optional

and this is what you do:

1. Put the raisins, currants, chopped almonds, sultanas and mixed peel into a big bowl and mix together,
2. Add the brown sugar and mixed spices,
3. Mix in the brandy and lemon juice,
4. Grate the apple including the skin into the mixture and mix well,
   
5. In a separate bowl melt the butter over a pan or in the microwave,
6. Add the butter to the mixture and mix well.
7. Now you're left with the banana, because the mixture would not keep well with the banana added now, only add the chopped up banana before you are going to use the mixture.
8. If you are not using it straight away then put the mixture into glass jars or an airtight container and store in the cupboard.

This mincemeat recipe is great to make with the children to get them included in the holiday preparations and is also a lovely present to put in pretty jars with a pretty ribbon and use as small gifts for friends and family.

I'd love to know if you make it and how it tastes!