Posts tagged: orange
Cranberry Sangria
Cheers to the holidays, friends!
Christmas is next week! How did that creep up so fast? If you're anything like me, you're frantically planning your holiday get togethers, trying to find the perfect (and easiest) recipes to serve your family and friends. When it comes to cocktail hour, my family takes their drinks very seriously. Instead of stocking an entire bar, this year I'm going straight for buckets of sangria to serve.
Any holiday festivities you have planned NEED this sangria. It's full of the traditional holiday flavors you know and love, plus it brings an extra festive element to any get together with the fresh cranberries and cinnamon sticks floating about.
You'll be hard pressed to find anyone who will turn down a second glass... Or third.
INSTRUCTIONS: Combine all ingredients in a large pitcher ad refrigerate for at least 5 to 6 hours before serving (ideally overnight).
Recipe & Photos by Meghan Bassett
Chocolate Dipped Candied Citrus Slices
Still wondering what in the world you're going to get that special someone for Christmas this year? Don't worry, because I've got you covered with these chocolate dipped candied citrus slices!
After a while, buying presents gets a bit tough because everyone seems to have everything they need or want. When you want to show you care, I always say go for the tastebuds. Nothing says I love you like a plate full of beautifully candied citrus slices, dipped in chocolate and served with a bow, am I right?
These elegant slices of sugary citrus are dipped in dark chocolate and look so fancy, no one will know that it took you very little time and effort to create them.
INSTRUCTIONS: In a large skillet, heat water and sugar over medium-high heat and bring to a boil. Add the orange and lemon slices and continue to cook over medium heat, turning from time to time. Once the liquid is reduced to a thick syrup and the slices are translucent, approximately 20 minutes, reduce heat to low and simmer until the syrup is thick. Turn the slices occasionally as then cook, approximately 10 minutes.
Transfer the slices to a cooling rack and you can save the syrup to use as a citrus simple syrup in cocktails! Cool the slices for at least 12 hours before dipping.
Dip the citrus slices halfway into the melted chocolate and set on parchment paper to harden, approximately 1 hour. Package in cute little mini loaf pans and wrap as desired.
Recipe & Photos by Meghan Bassett
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!
[vimeo 187844299 w=640 h=360]
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
