Wassil

I love making wassail at Halloween. I make a big batch every year and just heat it up in the microwave when ever I want. It never lasts long but tastes so much better than anything from a can.

here is my recipe:

1 gallon real apple cider

1/3 cup sugar

2 teaspoons each of whole allspice, and whole cloves

2 three inch sticks of cinnamon

Simmer for 20 minutes. (I will simmer it longer sometimes to get a stronger spice flavor)

mmmm good, and oh so comforting.

Fall

I know I have not posted in a very long time. We are getting into my favorite time of year. So hopefully I will post more.
I love fall. I absolutly love it. My friends think I am crazy when I say my all time favorite holiday is Thanksgiving. I start planning for it by mid October. I know... your thinking what is there to plan. well I plan every detail of the menu and figure out the timming of when I need to start cooking everything. I make lists of what to buy when (I start cooking two days before the big day but some food I like to get the day before to ensure ultimate freshness). I even like to plan special crafts for the kids that I then use as a centerpiece on the table. It does not bother me at all that I am in the kitchen all day. I just love it. who doesen't love a holiday centered around food. plus I think the thing I love the most is the opportunity to share my talent with others in a way that makes me gratfull for my family and all that I have.
So start planning that great day now.
First up it the menu...

Brinner

I love Brinner. It is a favorite in our house. Basically it is breakfast for dinner. We have sweet potato pancakes, one of my kids absolute favorites, maple sausage, and my favorite home made hash browns. We change up the bread part to include french toast or waffles too. I have to say it beats getting up early to make all of this in time for breakfast.

my favorite staple

I have a favorite staple in my refrigerator. It's heavy whipping cream. I know it is bad, and should not be eaten a lot, but I love it. I use it for making a quick Alfredo sauce that can top any pasta for a quick dinner that the whole family loves. I use it to make fondue or puddings. It makes things rich and creamy, two things I love. Use a tablespoon in a batch of scrambled eggs or red spaghetti sauce. and of course you can not forget whipped cream, that tops almost any dessert and makes it instantly outstanding. The real home made whipped cream tastes the best. Lachlan loves it whipped without any sugar or vanilla. I love this staple and add a little bit to almost anything that calls for milk, just to give my skim milk a little boost when I use it for cooking. Try it. You will love the results, well maybe not the ones on your hips.

Family Dinner Table

I am trying some thing new here. I decided to add a new page dedicated to all the cooking I do. I love to cook but often don't get to it for some reason or another. I am hoping this will motivate me to do it more. This page is dedicated to everything I do in the kitchen; whether it is a tried and true recipe, or I have subjected my family to being human guinea pigs. I will share. My goal is to post one good recipe each week and of course notify you of any stunning disasters. Wish me luck.