Bear Essentials: Apples ( + Mulled Cider )

Yesterday I showed you a showstopping cake, and today we're upping the ante.  Here's a recipe that has the same stop-you-in-your-tracks effect, with basically zero effort whatsoever.

Consider it an early Thanksgiving gift.

Coffee is good, and hot chocolate is amazing.  But there is no beverage that transforms not just its drinker, but the entire household, so much as warm spiced cider.  The scent of a pot of it simmering on the stove fills the entire house, transporting me instantly to childhood Christmas Eves.

And if you're trying to sell your house, might I suggest that making it is a heck of a lot easier than trying to make everything smell like freshly-baked cookies.

All you have to do is pour a jug of cider into a pot, toss in a few spices and a bit of brown sugar, and simmer until you can't stand the seasonal joy for a single second longer.

Yankee Candle's got nothing on you.

I hope you've enjoyed the landslide of apple recipes I've brought you over the last two weeks.  And if you're new to the site and missed them the first time around, here's a little recap:

Rosemary and Browned Butter Applesauce
Apple-Maple Turkey Burger with Maple Dijon Sauce
Brown Butter Creamy Apple Pie
Apple-Cheddar Latkes
Cider-Brined Pork Chops with Creamed Leeks and Apples
Apple Crisp with Sweet Ginger and Macadamia Nuts
Celery and Apple Salad Dijon
Pork and Apple Pie with Cheddar-Sage Crust
Caramel-Apple Cake

Hope I'll see you back here next week, when I start sharing my annual Winter Cookie collection!

Mulled Cider
adapted from Martha Stewart

Apple Cider  [ 5 cups ]
Light Brown Sugar  [ packed, 3 tablespoons ]
Cinnamon Stick  [ 1, plus more for serving if desired ]
Allspice  [ 1 teaspoon ]
Ground Ginger  [ 1/2 teaspoon ]
Ground Cloves  [ 1 pinch ]
Freshly-Grated Nutmeg  [ 1 pinch ]
Salt  [ 1 pinch ]

1.   In a medium pot, whisk together Cider, Brown Sugar, Cinnamon Stick, Allspice, Ginger, Cloves,
        Nutmeg, and Salt.
2.   Bring to a simmer over Medium-Low heat.
3.   Remove from heat; if desired, pour through cheesecloth to remove solids.
4.   Pour into mugs and garnish with Cinnamon Sticks, if desired.


 Serves 4.

               And another great Fall breakfast:

Figs & Dried Cherries in Vanilla-Honey Syrup over Yogurt