T'is the Season: Holiday Recipes

[LadyTevar]

These are for those nice Holiday recipes that you share with your family and friends every year.

As I type this, I'm already simmering up something tasty:

Kat's Mulled Cider
One gallon (approx 2lit) of Apple Cider (Plain apple juice can work, but cider is better)
3-4 whole cinnamon sticks
2-4 whole nutmegs (2 large or 4 small)
10-14 whole cloves
1/2 cup of lemon juice

Optional: Sugar to taste
Optional: 1/8tsp powdered ginger
Optional: Whole peels from a red or green apple or sliced lemons/oranges

Fill the largest soup kettle you have with the cider. Turn heat on high, and drop in all the whole spices. (If you have access to cheesecloth, tie the spices up in a bundle and drop in like a giant teabag.)

Bring cider and spices to a boil, stirring occassionally. Lower the heat, and add the lemon juice. Let simmer for approx 10min, then carefully taste the cider. If it's too sour, add sugar. If it's still too sweet, add a bit more lemon, a tbsp-full at a time. When adjusting sweetness, allow at least 10min of simmering before re-tasting, so the flavors can mix.

Simmer for up to 4 hours, the longer it simmers the spicer it gets, so go for your own comfort zone.

Before serving, the spices may be removed with a sieve (this is when the cheesecloth makes it much easier). Serve Warm, using a punch ladle. The apple peels or citrus circles may be floated on top of the kettle (or punchbowl) for decoration. Leftovers may be chilled, but drink within a couple of weeks because it can and will ferment if left too long.

[LadyTevar]

Dutch Apple Pannekoeken
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
2 medium apples, peeled and sliced thin (approx 2cups)
((OPTIONAL: Replace apples with 2 pears))

1/3cup water
2 tbsp butter/margarine
1/2cup Bisquick (or other boxed biscuit mix)
2 eggs

Heat oven to 400*F. Generously greease a 9in pie plate.

Mix brown sugar and cinnamon in medium bowl, add apples and toss until covered with brown sugar. Set aside.

Heat water and butter to boiling in 2qt saucepan, reduce to low heat. Add Bisquick, stir vigorously until mixture forms a ball. Remove from heat.

Beat eggs into dough, one at a time, continuing to beat until dough is smooth and liquid.

Spread batter in bottom of pie plate. Arrange coated apple slices on batter to within one (1) inch of the edge of the pie plate. Bake 22-24 minutes, or until batter is puffed and edges are golden brown.

Best served immediately. Works well with powdered sugar and maple syrup for a breakfast dish, or serve warm with vanilla ice cream as a dessert.