There are many easy mince meals, also called mince meat meals, that can be made with little effort. When cooking with mince, it is important to know that, at one time, this process was considered a form of preservation. Mince meat can be kept longer than a week by adding certain liquors to the mince to retain the flavor and consistency of the mixture. If a person is using meat in mince meals, they will need to be refrigerated to be kept fresh. With no meat, the mixture can be kept outside of the refrigerator for a few days without going bad.
These dishes are a popular and economical way of feeding many people. Some recipes have been used for thousands of years. Originally, mince was made from meats such as beef or lamb. During times of economic stress when meat was scarce, it was made with dried fruits instead. This tradition has continued throughout many generations. The mince made from dried fruits does not need to be chilled to be kept fresh.
Mince dishes are oftentimes served during the Christmas or Thanksgiving holidays. One of the more common recipes made is mincemeat pie. When making the mince meat for the pie in advance, adding a little brandy to the mixture can keep it fresh for a longer period. If a person is planning on keeping the mince meat for a period of longer than a couple of weeks, pouring brandy once a week into the mixture will keep it fresh for up to two months in the refrigerator.
Freezing can keep the mince meat fresh for up to three months. For those who wish to make their food in advance, this can allow those easy mince meals to be kept in the freezer for a quick meal solution on busy days. It is important to put the mince in the refrigerator for one day to allow for thawing before using it in a meal. Laying the mince flat when storing it in the freezer will allow the mixture to defrost at an even rate.
Lasagna is great for easy mince meals that take little time to prepare. The majority of the time involved is in baking. Preparing the mince in advance can make the process easier. This will save time when the lasagna is assembled and baked. It is a common dished used by people who are busy and can quickly assemble the ingredients to bake easy mince meals.