In Cider Job

When it's cold out, and it's the holiday season, and you're home - it's the time for some hot, spiced cider (it's how we kick started Thanksgiving)!

Hot, Spiced, Apple Cider

Ingredients:

• Apple cider (not juice!)
• Cinnamon sticks (not ground!)
• Orange peels or lemon peels or both (dried, but never tried fresh, wonder how that would be?)
• Cloves (not ground!)
  

Break cinnamon sticks in half or thirds so they fit inside a mesh tea strainer ball thing. Put everything (except cider, duh) into the mesh tea strainer and place inside a slow cooker (aka crock pot). Add cider. Turn on hot if you want it heated relatively quick or keep on low. Once it's hot enough, you can keep it on warm and enjoy it all day.

You can also buy pre-packaged spices that you add to the cider:

And if you can't find cider, you can get flavored tea (but this will be a watery version):


It's good in the morning, during the day, and at night*, whenever it's cold out and you're feeling festive!

*especially with a bit of rum

Do you have simple and fun recipes or food traditions for the holidays?