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Sunday, December 11, 2011

Hot Apple Cider

Ingredients

  • 4 whole Cinnamon Sticks
  • 1/8 teaspoon Ground Cloves
  • 8 whole Allspice Berries
  • Orange Peel From 1 Orange
  • Lemon Peel From 1 Lemon
  • 1/2 cup Maple Syrup
  • 6 cups Unfiltered (fresh Squeezed Is Great) Apple Juice
  • 1/2 cup Dark Rum (optional)

Preparation Instructions

(Adapted from AllRecipes.com.)
Place cinnamon sticks, ground cloves, allspice berries, orange peel, and lemon peel in a medium saucepan. Pour in maple syrup and apple juice, then bring to almost a boil. Reduce the heat to its lowest setting and simmer for 30 minutes. Remove from heat and serve in mugs.

From: Pioneer Woman

Mini Corn Loaves with Cranberries and Pecans

Ingredients

  • 1 cup Yellow Cornmeal
  • 1/2 cup All-purpose Flour
  • 1 teaspoon Salt
  • 1 Tablespoon Baking Powder
  • 2 Tablespoons Sugar
  • 1 cup Buttermilk
  • 1/2 cup Milk
  • 1/2 teaspoon Baking Soda
  • 1 whole Egg
  • 1/4 cup Shortening
  • 1/2 teaspoon Vanilla
  • 1 cup Dried Cranberries
  • 1/2 cup Chopped Pecans
  • MAPLE BUTTER
  • 1 stick Softened Butter
  • 2 Tablespoons Maple Syrup
  • Extra Maple Syrup And Melted Butter, For Brushing

Preparation Instructions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Combine corn meal, flour, salt, sugar, and baking powder in a mixing bowl. In a separate bowl, combine buttermilk, milk, egg, and baking soda. Stir to combine. Add melted shortening, stirring constantly. Add vanilla extract, then stir in dried cranberries (you can use a little more or a little fewer if you’d like) and pecans.
Pour into a greased mini-loaf, mini-muffin, or muffin pan, trying to make sure cranberries stay evenly distributed. Bake for 12-15 minutes or so, or until golden brown. Cool for a few minutes after removing from the oven, then turn out of the pan and allow to cool. Mix together a little melted butter and maple syrup, then brush it over the tops of the loaves.
To make the maple butter, combine the softened butter and maple syrup. Stir until totally combined, then spread into a ramekin, drizzle the top with maple syrup, and serve with the warm muffins. (Butter can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge.)

From: Pioneer Woman