Mince pies

[Caribeing]

Bought some Marks Spencers Mince Pies trying to convince granddaughter that they are not mincemeat, says on the packet, filled with our fruity classic mincemeat, where is the "meat"

[woofgang]

mincemeat did used to have meat in it but no longer....why are you trying to convince granddaughter?

[RATTER15]

I believe many years ago that a lot of fruit was added to minced meat to preserve and to diguise the flovour of skanky meat. These days we just have the fruit without the meat, I believe that to be the origin of Mincemeat.

[RATTER15]

*flavour

[Caribeing]

Granddaughter vegeterian

[RATTER15]

I think that they no longer contain any meat, Ingredients should state the exact contents.

[woofgang]

oh ok, does she want to eat mince pies? Be careful, some traditional recipes have suet in them.

[Buenchico]

A quick glance in the Oxford Dictionary shows that 'meat' at one time could be used to mean food of any kind (and not just animal flesh). [In the USA it continues to be used to include the edible parts of fruits, nuts, eggs, shellfish, etc.]

So you can tell your granddaughter that 'mincemeat' is simply using the word 'meat' in an old-fashioned way, which has nothing to do with animal flesh.

Chris

[tamborine]

and the pastry has butter; by product of cattle.

[boxtops]

Explain to her that minced meat and mincemeat are not at all the same thing - she only has to look at the ingredients, she'll find no "meat" but might find animal products.

[EvianBaby]

Doesn't it say on the box if it's suitable for vegetarians?

[Mosaic]

Tambo, veggies have butter - vegans don't.

[HowardKennitby]

How old is daughter and why are you trying to convince her? If she doesn't want to eat them she can eat something else or go without.

[nohorn]

Well, I did make mincemeat using "meat" once, including the suet. I did not like it all , the texture, etc. was not especially desirable. I supposed if you were starving you might think it as being tasty. The all fruit version was much more tasty. The recipe using meat would take some getting used to.