Fall Resolutions

[Holly S]

Good Morning All,

As I drove to work this morning I was thinking of my plans for fall (My FAVORITE time of year) and there were two things in particular that I am inspired to so this year, well they are almost the same, Make Mulled Spiced Cider, and Mulled Wine. Along with pumpkin picking, and apple picking. So any ideas on how to make REALLY good Mulled Wine and Cider? Thanks as always for your insightful and humorous responses. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[This message has been edited by Holly S (edited 08-25-2000).]

[christinew]

Pumpkin Picking sounds great! I can't wait for fall. Fires, pots of chilli and football. What else are particulary fall cuisines?

Great Post!

[MrsReber]

I can't wait for the apple picking. That's my favorite! But I love to cook beef stroganoff and hearty soups and breads. Pumpkin pie (yes, using a real pumpkin, not canned) chilly days, sweatshirt weather. Holly, I'm not sure about the spiced cider and mulled wine, but I am sure I will find out. Apple season is actually here so I'll be planning that trip soon- maybe even this weekend???

[Holly S]

Has no one any thoughts on the Fall, as Septmber 1st is just DAYS away? http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/redface.gif

[This message has been edited by Holly S (edited 08-25-2000).]

[Shelly]

Unfortunately Holly, where I live, fall doesn't get here until late October/early November http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/frown.gif, so it's hard to imagine at this point for me!! I just moved to north Florida in March, and it got hot in May and is still very hot. I am SO ready for fall; it is my favorite season. I can't wait to do all the baking my heart desires without turning the kitchen into a sauna :wink:. Also looking forward to building a fire in the fireplace. I'm not sure how much of a fall we'll have; locals have said there hasn't been enough of a frost to kill off the bugs the past couple winters. I will miss fall like I know it, but I won't mind the mild winter. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[This message has been edited by Shelly (edited 08-25-2000).]

[LIsaP]

Fall is my favorite season too! I love going for walks in the crisp air and coming home to make soups-pototo chowder, lentil and rice, fish chowder.

Apple picking is definately on my list as well! I am going to pick enough so I can make up a batch of apple butter! My favorite!
Also, love getting the comforter out again and eventually the flannel sheets!

[lindrusso]

I can't help you out with the mulled cider and mulled wine recipes, but I did have some fall resolutions of my own.

In the area of cooking, I have decided to try to improve my pie crust. I have a great recipe from Martha Stewart that uses butter only. It tastes wonderful (I'm not as crazy about all-shortening crusts), but it doesn't hold it's shape - I can flute the edges all I want, but it falls flat every time (even when the dough has been chilled extensively). So, I'm going to try a recipe that is part butter and part shortening and see if that helps.

Also in the cooking department, I hope to get back to baking bread again.

My biggest fall resolution however is to organize and clean this house!! I'm going through every closet, cabinet and drawer and organize, clean and get rid of junk. I can't take it anymore!! Of course there are many other household projects on my list (like painting all my dark brown trim and doors white), but this is the main and most important one.

[Concha]

I serve this mulled punch at my holiday gatherings and have given out the recipe to many people--it gets good reviews. I think it might be from an old issue of Cooking Light, but I'm not sure.

Rosy Mulled Punch

Syrup:
2 c water
1 c sugar
1 tsp whole cloves
1 tsp whole allspice
2 cinnamon sticks
1 lemon, sliced
1 orange, sliced

Non-alcoholic punch:
1 1/2 qts (6c) raspberry-cranberry drink

Alcoholic punch:
2 (750ml) bottles (6c) dry red wine

In a small saucepan, combine all syrup ingredients. Cook over medium heat until mixture comes to a boil, stirring constantly. Reduce heat, simmer for 10 minutes; strain; cool. Refrigerate syrup until serving time.

At serving time, place one-half of prepared syrup (about 1 1/4 cup) in each of 2 large saucepans. To one, add raspberry-cranberry drink. To the other, add wine. Simmer each over low heat until thoroughly heated. Serve hot with cinnamon sticks and citrus twists, if desired. Makes 14- 1/2 cup servings of alcoholic and 14- 1/2 cup servings of non-alcoholic drink.

[Vanessa]

Mulled red wine
3 bottles dry red wine
1 1/2 cups Brandy
1 1/2 c sugar
3 cinnamon sticks
8 whole cloves
3 small lemons zest scored lenthwise if desired & fruit sliced then crosswise
In large saucepan bring wine and brandy to a simmer with sugar, cinnamon & cloves stirring and cook at a bare simmer 2 minutes. Stir in lemon slices and laddle into heatproff cups
Makes 12 1/2 cups

Hot apple cider
1 gallon cider
2 cinnamon sticks
8 cloves (whole)
4 allspice (whole)
1/2 lemon sliced
1/4 c honey
Add spices,lemon & honey to cider. Simmer 10 minutes. Enjoy on A fall evening or in front of a fire
OR
Hot mulled cider
8 c apple cider
1/2 c packed brown sugar
dash of nutmeg
6 inches stick cinnamon
1 tsp whole allspice
1 tsp whole cloves
8 thin orange wedges
8 whole cloves
In large saucepan combine cider, sugar & nutmeg. For spice bag:
Place cinnamon, allspice and 1 tsp cloves in cheesecloth and tie. Add to cider mix. Bring to boiling. Reduce heat, cover and simmer 10 minutes. Remove spice bag and discard. Serve cider in mugs with a clove studded orange wedge in each. 8 servings

Note: Also W Sonoma has in a can mulling spices. They are great to have. I bought in a cooking store spice bags and they are great to have too

[lorilei]

Well, our lease always seems to expire in the Fall and this year we're seriously contemplating the big MOVE -- so I'm genuinely looking forward to a sense of renewal when we're all settled again.

I approve of Autumn more than any other season. The midwest comes alive with color and I just FEEL better when the wind is cool.

I used to make mulled wine every year, but stopped a couple of years ago. I don't know why. Here's a good basic recipe that you can make in your crock pot:

Mulled Wine

2 bottles dry red wine, like Cabernet Sauvignon
1 cup light corn syrup
1 cup water
1 square (8 inches) double-thickness cheesecloth
Peel of 1 orange
1 cinnamon stick, broken into halves
8 whole cloves
1 whole nutmeg
orange slices, optional

Combine wine, corn syrup, and water in slow cooker. Rinse cheesecloth; squeeze out water. Wrap orange peel, cinnamon stick halves, cloves, and nutmeg in cheesecloth. Tie securely with cotton string or strip of cheesecloth. Add to slow cooker. Cover and cook on HIGH 2 to 2.5 hours. Discard spice bag; ladle into glasses. Garnish with orange slices, if desired.

http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif Vanessa... we meet again. But I think you type faster than I do!

[This message has been edited by lorilei (edited 08-25-2000).]

[Zinnia]

Fall?!
What is that? It was 47 degrees 2 nights ago! Where have all you been? j/k http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif. It seems that fall is already creeping up on us here in Ak. We'll have our first snow by the
middle of Oct.-and it will probably melt by the end of the day but,then the games begin!
I've already had the crockpot out a few times this mo. & even had to turn the heat up the other night! Listen to me complaining, Lol! Who am I kidding?
I am looking forward to all that fall has ahead. I love the changes, colors, foods, and more. Now I just need to figure how to cram all that stuff into my growing daily schedule! Take care everyone, http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif Zinnia

[Holly S]

Thank you Ladies for the recipes. My husband is going to think I am a booze hound but who cares, they sound wonderful!

[MrsReber]

It hasn't been all that warm in NJ either, Zinnia! Been going down to 50 at night, very unusual, but I love it because I can cook and bake to my heart's content and have all the windows in the house open! Ah, the changing of the leaves. That's always great. I love to see the seasons change. So while my husband is out hunting, I will be at home making him a nice hearty meal to come home to. Makes us both happy!