Posts tagged: Winter
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
10 Warm & Cozy Crockpot Cocktails to Keep You Warm
You know that warm feeling when you are enjoying a cocktail? The boozy heat that rises inside of you and makes you feel all cozy and happy from the inside out. You know the one I'm talking about, right? It's the one that makes you grateful for everything in your life as you let the stress of the day wash away in a single sip. Now imagine that happy feeling, but multiply it by about 5,000. That's the feeling I get whenever I sip on a really good warm cocktail, like mulled wine or warm boozy cider. It's like a warm hug for your belly that your entire body can sink into and enjoy. You all know we've been putting our crockpots to work already this month, but we can't forget about one of the most important kinds of recipes. Big batch cocktails... Whether you have a party coming up you need drinks for, or you are simply craving a perfectly balanced, warm cocktail, the cocktails we've rounded up below are the simplest ones around. They pack in the flavor and the warmth, without making you do any work. While it's brewing away in the slow cooker, you can simply sit back and enjoy the season. You'll find some classics in the list below - and even some fun new twists on your favorite nonalcoholic beverages! We absolutely can't stop, won't stop with any of these; and we're pretty dang sure you won't be able to either...
Slow Cooker Spiced Wine - Well Plated
Crock Pot Cranberry Cider - Kleinworth & Co. Slow Cooker Cranberry-Orange Mulled Wine - Kitchen Treaty
Slow Cooker Gingerbread Latte - The Cookie Rookie
Slow Cooker Peppermint Vanilla Lattes - Kitchen Treaty Slow Cooker Maple Pumpkin Spice Lattes - The Yummy Life
Slow Cooker Mulled Wine - The View From Great Island Slow Cooker Winter Rose Sangria - Hungry Girl Por Vida
Mulled Wine - Gimme Some Oven
Hot Caramel Apple Cocktail - Busy Mommy Cheers everyone!
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
