Cathy's Christmas Kitchen   Hot Beverages

There is always coffee brewing in Cathy's kitchen ... grab a cup and get yourself something to drink.  I also have hot apple cider, punch and of course egg nog. Spiced Apple Cider 1 gallon apple cider 3/4 cup brown sugar juice of 1 lemon 4 cinnamon sticks 1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg Mix together all of the ingredients in a large soup kettle. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for ten minutes. Serve hot, or cool to room temperature and chill before serving.

Hot Spiced Cranberry Apple Punch 64 ounces cranberry juice cocktail 8 cups apple cider 24 ounces thawed frozen lemonade concentrate (do not mix or dilute) 4 cinnamon sticks 1 whole nutmeg 1 teaspoon whole allspice 1 teaspoon whole cloves Lemon wedges and cranberries for garnish Mix together the cranberry juice, apple cider, and lemonade concentrate in a large soup kettle.  Bring to a boil.  Wrap the spices in a cheesecloth bag and add to the kettle.  Simmer for twenty minutes.  Ladle into warm mugs and garnish with lemon wedges and whole cranberries.

Hot Spiced Cider 1 quart cider 2 cups cranberry juice 4-5 strips of orange peel juice of one orange 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg cinnamon sticks (optional) Make the orange peel strips with your vegetable peeler before squeezing the orange for its juice.  Put everything into a pot and bring to a boil, then simmer for 10 minutes.  Serve in mugs with the cinnamon sticks.

Hot Chocolate From the Kitchen of First Lady Laura Bush 6 T. Unsweetened cocoa 6 T. Sugar Pinch of Salt 2 1/2 cup Milk 2 1/2 cup Light Cream 1/2 t. Vanilla (or more) Pinch of Cinnamon Powder (optional) Whipped Cream Orange Zest Mix cocoa, salt, and sugar. Add milk.  Heat to dissolve. Add light cream, cinnamon, vanilla. Heat to just under boiling. Mix very well and pour into warm mug. Top with whipped cream, cocoa powder, and fine orange zest.

Fireside Coffee 2 cups cocoa mix 1 cup instant coffee 3/4 tsp. cinnamon 2 cups powdered creamer 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar 3/4 tsp. nutmeg Blend ingredients together and store in an airtight container until ready to use. To use the mix, put 3-4 tsp. a in cup and add steaming hot water.  (Try with Amaretto, whipped topping, chocolate shavings, or vanilla ice cream)

Just Eggnog 12 eggs 1 1/2 cups sugar 1 quart cream vanilla to taste dash of nutmeg Seperate eggs at room temp.  Beat yolks till creamed with about half of sugar.  Beat egg whites till peaked and add other half of sugar.  Beat cream till stiff, then fold all together.  Add vanilla to taste - but remember that a little bit of vanilla goes a long way. Refrigerate for at least one day and shake well before serving. Eggnog Safety! Current estimates show that there is a 1 in 10,000 chance that the eggs in your nog could contain a harmful bacteria.  To avoid the possibility of food poisoning the Center for Science in the Public Interest recommends that you slowly heat the eggs to 160 F before using.  Another way to tell if the eggs are ready is if they coat a metal spoon.  Eggnog made in dairies is usually pasteurized, which means that harmful bacteria have already been eliminated through a heating process.  So when you whip up a batch of eggnog play it safe. Heat your eggs before adding your own finishing touches.   Punch Cathy's Holiday Punch 1/2 gallon orange sherbet 2-litter bottle 7-Up 1 large bottle Hawaiian Punch Concentrate Spoon half of the sherbet into a large punchbowl.  Pour 1/2 the Hawaiian Punch concentrate over the sherbet, slowly add the 7-Up and gently stir. makes 2 punchbowls full Orange Eggnog Punch 1 quart eggnog 1 12-oz. can frozen orange juice concentrate (thawed) 1 12-oz. can ginger ale (chilled) In a pitcher, stir eggnog and orange juice concentrate until well mixed.  Pour in ginger ale and stir gently. makes 8 7-oz. servings Cranberry Punch 4 cups cranberry juice cocktail, chilled 1 can (12 ounces) lemon juice concentrate 4 cups cold water 2 12-ounce cans chilled lemon-lime carbonated soda (about 4 cups) Combine cranberry juice, lemonade concentrate, and water.  Refrigerate. Just before serving time, add ice cubes. Carefully pour carbonated soda down sides of bowl. Makes about 14 1-cup servings Reindeer Punch 2 cups orange juice 2 cups lemon juice 2 cups grenadine syrup 3 quarts ginger ale 1 pint of quartered strawberries (or sliced fruit in season) Mix all ingredients, except ginger ale and fruit Pour over block of ice to chill Just before serving, add ginger ale and fruit.   Return to Cathy's Christmas Kitchen © 2001-2007 - Cathy