Mulling Spices Mix

Note: Our new book was featured yesterday in the Daily Herald!  Read the article about us and our blog here!

I'm really excited for this month's Recipe Redux theme, which is "Adding Merriment to Mixes." Just think of all the mixes you will find in our links today--mixes for cookies, hot cocoa, and healthy bread that you can keep shelf stable! It's perfect for the busy holiday season, and even more perfect if you like to give friends and family homemade gifts!

We decided to make a beautiful mulling spices mix. Also known as wassail, this is a drink that will make your house smell like the holidays. Wouldn't that cute little jar in the picture above make a great gift for the host or hostess of your Thanksgiving meal?

Ingredients

1 lemon

1 orange

8 cinnamon sticks

3 whole nutmegs

.62 oz. container of whole allspice berries

.62 oz. container of whole cloves

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 200 degrees. Zest the orange and lemon and place on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Peel the orange and lemon, trying not to include too much of the pith, and place them on the cookie sheet as well. Bake in oven until dry and crispy--about 1 to 1.5 hours.

2. Place the remainder of the ingredients in a freezer bag. Get out your holiday aggression by smashing them with a rolling pin or bottom of an old frying pan. Read our suggestions on holiday aggression. :)

This is what the crumbs will look like. A pretty potpourri! (And it really does smell fantastic.)

3. Take the dried orange and lemon peels and cut into pieces the same size as your spice mix. Mix them and the zest with the spices.



4. To serve, mix 2 tablespoons of the mixture with 1/2 gallon of apple cider. Simmer mixture on the stove for 30 to 40 minutes. Warning: This will make your house smell really, really good. Strain out spices with a wire mesh strainer and serve.

We thought it would be cute to package it for the holidays either in a little mason jar, or you could give your friends the package of apple juice with a serving of spices attached to the top in a little baggie. Be sure to include the instructions so it will be easy to make!

Here are some other healthy hostess and gift giving ideas