Posts tagged: cloves

Boozy Crockpot Apple Cider

Who's thirsty?! Instead of hitting the wine this Wine Wednesday, I'm breaking out my slow cooker for some serious boozy deliciousness...

Nothing says fall and winter quite like a warm mug full of mulled apple cider. Cuddling up in a warm blanket, next to a wood burning fire, with some Netflix binging lined up for the remainder of the evening is how I like to take it easy.

This recipe is great to make and keep on hand in your refrigerator for the week so you can enjoy it each night, but it also works great as a holiday cocktail for your next party! Serve it up in some mugs with cinnamon sticks and everyone will go absolutely nuts over this stuff. It's highly addictive because it's so dang comforting. No matter how cold it gets outside, a glass of this cider will always warm ya right back up in moments.

The ingredients are super simple and the effort is basically NOTHING. Just dump it all in and let it simmer for the day. When you're ready to serve, stir in the vodka! We wouldn't want any of that booze burning off in the cooking process, now would we? ;)

I know what I am going to be whipping up all weekend long... And now you do too!

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Boozy Crockpot Apple Cider from Pig of the Month BBQ on Vimeo.

 

INSTRUCTIONS: Serves 12 Add apple cider, cinnamon sticks orange zest, cloves, star anise and allspice berries to the insert of a crockpot. Cook on low heat for 6 to 7 hours. When ready to serve, add vodka and stir to combine. Remove cinnamon sticks and spices with a fine mesh sieve. Serve immediately. If you are preparing this for a party, keep the slow cooker on it's lowest heat setting throughout the evening. Serve with cinnamon sticks for an added touch of deliciousness, and class.

*Recipe, photos and video by Meghan Bassett

Overnight Bacon & Chocolate Chip French Toast

In the dead of winter, all I want to wake up to is something sweet, savory and super easy to make. That's why this Overnight Bacon & Chocolate Chip French Toast fits the bill almost every weekend. It's got sweet french toast, rich dark chocolate and savory bacon which when combined together in a baked up casserole of goodness, will completely blow you away with every single bite.

What I really love about this recipe is that you can easily make it the day or night before. That way when you are groggy in the morning, reaching for your cup of coffee, all you have to worry about is setting the oven and placing the baking dish in there. By the time you feel awake, you'll be sitting down to a heaping, gooey portion of this deliciousness...

It's perfect for the holidays, especially when you have family staying with you and the chaos of Christmas morning! However this recipe can keep you going and going throughout the cold months that are still ahead of us, so don't go only making it once ;) Happy holidays everyone! Enjoy the long weekend!

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Overnight Bacon & Chocolate Chip French Toast from Pig of the Month BBQ on Vimeo.

 

INSTRUCTIONS: Spray a 9x13-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. Add half of the cubed bread to the pan and top it with half of the chopped bacon and chocolate chips. In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, sugar, vanilla, salt, cinnamon and cloves. Pour mixture over bread evenly to coat everything. Cover and refrigerate overnight. When ready to bake, preheat oven to 400 degrees. Bake uncovered for 15 to 20 minutes, until golden brown and the center is set. Top with powdered sugar and serve immediately.

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Pig of the Month BBQ Applewood Smoked Maple Bacon  

*Recipe, video and photos by Meghan Bassett