I'm doing a project for my children's lit class and I found this AUTHENTIC recipe from the 15th century, but it has been updated by way of cooking methods.

15th Century Mincemeat Pies (8 servings)

Filling:
1-1.5 lbs beef or pork, browned and minced
1/4 C each: dates, prunes, raisins
2 Tbsp vinegar (apple cider vinegar is good)
1/2 tsp. pepper
1/2 tsp. salt

Crust:
1-1/4 C. flour
1 egg yolk
6 Tbsp. butter, softened
water

1) Mix crust ingredients until it forms ball. Set aside
2) Brown beef and chop into small bits. Drain and put bits into a bowl.
PREHEAT OVEN TO 350 degrees F.
3) Chop the dates and prunes into raisin-sized pieces. Add fruit to beef.
4) Drizzle vinegar over filling and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
5) Roll out 8 pieces of dough to about 4" diameter and put a little more than a tablespoon of filling in the center. Two ways to fold: fold over like a calzone or bring edges to center and pinch it like a little pouch at the top.
6) Set on lightly greased baking sheet and bake for 30 minutes.