Keeping With The Times

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Homemade Apple Cider

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Homemade apple cider is so easy to make, I’m shocked I haven’t tried it before! But I suppose the only time I’d think about making apple cider is when I have so many apples I don’t know what to do with them—which is what happened this year.Homemade apple cider is so easy to make, I’m shocked I haven’t tried it before! But I suppose the only time I'd think about making apple cider is when I have so many apples I don't know what to do with them—which is what happened this year. Keeping With the TimesOur friends have a mini orchard and I was lucky enough to be given the go-ahead to pick all the apples I wanted! It was literally a windfall … perfect little apples falling off trees by the buckets. I scooped up as many as I could and quickly set about making pies, crisps, and sauce that will last until March. I used the smallest ones to make jelly (which is delicious btw) and I still had apples galore. What was I going to do with them all?

Well, one day I was out and about shopping and found myself at Williams-Sonoma (ha, I actually make a bee-line for that store) but, nevertheless… there I was. And the smell that was wafting about was incredible.

Turns out they were serving apple cider using their specialty spices and apple juice concentrate. I helped myself to a little sample, purchased the spices, but passed on the juice concentrate because I felt it was a bit expensive.

As I made a mental note to pick up some apple juice at the grocery store I had an “aha” moment … why don’t I make my own?!

So that’s how my homemade apple cider recipe was born.Homemade apple cider is so easy to make, I’m shocked I haven’t tried it before! But I suppose the only time I'd think about making apple cider is when I have so many apples I don't know what to do with them—which is what happened this year. Keeping With the TimesI made it for my family at Thanksgiving and it was a huge hit!Homemade apple cider is so easy to make, I’m shocked I haven’t tried it before! But I suppose the only time I'd think about making apple cider is when I have so many apples I don't know what to do with them—which is what happened this year. Keeping With the TimesPerfect for Christmas too!Homemade apple cider is so easy to make, I’m shocked I haven’t tried it before! But I suppose the only time I'd think about making apple cider is when I have so many apples I don't know what to do with them—which is what happened this year. Keeping With the Times

Homemade Apple Cider

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Homemade Apple Cider
Author: 
Recipe type: Beverage
 
Ingredients
  • Enough small apples to fill a large pot
  • Enough water to cover the apples
  • Brown sugar to taste (I used about 1/4 cup for the entire pot)
  • Mulling Spices (I used the Williams-Sonoma mix) but you could use:
  • cinnamon
  • dried orange rind
  • whole allspice
  • whole cloves
Instructions
  1. Wash apples; cut in half and remove stems and blossom ends
  2. Place in large pot and cover with water
  3. Bring to boil and let cook for 5 minutes
  4. Cover and reduce heat
  5. Simmer for 30 minutes
  6. Crush using a potato masher
  7. Let simmer 15 minutes more, adding water to keep the pot full
  8. Strain through a large colander and toss the pulp, seeds, skins, etc.
  9. Strain again through a fine sieve
  10. Line a clean colander with several layers of cheesecloth and strain again (or not, if you don't mind a bit of cloudiness which isn't a bad idea)
  11. Place strained juice in a big clean pot on the stove and bring to a boil
  12. Reduce heat and add 2-4 Tablespoons spices and brown sugar to taste
  13. Let simmer for 15 minutes, adding a bit of water if the juice tastes too strong
  14. Remove spices *see my note
  15. Serve in small mugs with a stick of cinnamon for garnish
Notes
I recommend the Williams-Sonoma Mulling Spices as the blend includes some oils that most likely really boost the flavour (and no this is not an ad ;)

I left the spices in the pot and let it all simmer on the stove as long as there was cider left ... the aroma in the house all day was incredible!

Enjoy!

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Homemade apple cider is so easy to make, I’m shocked I haven’t tried it before! But I suppose the only time I'd think about making apple cider is when I have so many apples I don't know what to do with them—which is what happened this year. Keeping With the Times

Mint Tea Refresher Tips for the Best Tea

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Today I have a few mint tea refresher tips for the best tea experience! Mint tea is soothing and refreshing, and if you can use fresh mint it’s especially delightful.

If you are cold, tea will warm you;
if you are too heated, it will cool you;
If you are depressed, it will cheer you;
If you are excited, it will calm you.
William Ewart Gladstone

Mint tea is soothing and refreshing, and if you can use fresh mint it's especially delightful. Growing mint is easy and satisfying as this plant is vigorous and aggressive. If you're growing mint, I would suggest you plant it in a container up off the ground or it will take over your garden!I recently purchased these sweet pots of Mojito Mint from a local greenhouse.Mint tea is soothing and refreshing, and if you can use fresh mint it's especially delightful. Growing mint is easy and satisfying as this plant is vigorous and aggressive. If you're growing mint, I would suggest you plant it in a container up off the ground or it will take over your garden!Growing mint is easy and satisfying as this plant is vigorous and aggressive. Most experts advise planting it in a container, up off the ground, or it will take over your garden! It will even send out shoots and sprout new plants where they land :)

When planting mint, make sure to provide good air circulation and well-drained soil to prevent rust or powdery mildew. If you see wilted leaves or dark spots, pinch off the affected leaves immediately and watch the plant closely.

How to Prepare Mint Tea

  • Harvest 1/2 cup of fresh mint (I use stems and all). Rinse and pat dry.
  • Place mint in the strainer that fits in your teapot. I love using my little cast iron pot I found at Chapters/Indigo. They don’t always carry these lovely little pots, but you can also get them from Teavana.
  • Meanwhile, to warm up the teapot, boil water and pour in about 1/4 cup. Cover and let sit for a minute or two (this is without the mint!)
  • Discard the water used to warm the pot.
  • Set the strainer filled with mint into the pot and fill with the remaining hot water.
  • Let sit for 5 minutes.
  • Pour into cups, add a fresh mint leaf and enjoy!

Mint tea is soothing and refreshing, and if you can use fresh mint it's especially delightful. Growing mint is easy and satisfying as this plant is vigorous and aggressive. If you're growing mint, I would suggest you plant it in a container up off the ground or it will take over your garden!Did you know mint contains vitamins A and C, as well as Calcium and Iron?Mint tea is soothing and refreshing, and if you can use fresh mint it's especially delightful. Growing mint is easy and satisfying as this plant is vigorous and aggressive. If you're growing mint, I would suggest you plant it in a container up off the ground or it will take over your garden!
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Mint tea is soothing and refreshing, and if you can use fresh mint it's especially delightful. Growing mint is easy and satisfying as this plant is vigorous and aggressive. If you're growing mint, I would suggest you plant it in a container up off the ground or it will take over your garden!