Foodie Friday: Warm Drinks

Slow Cooker Cranberry Apple Cider
Via The Recipe Rebel

The chill of winter has set in to stay for a while so we thought we would share some delicious recipes for warm drinks.  These drinks are great for getting cozy with friends, family or even a good book!  Let us know what you think!


Slow Cooker Cranberry Apple Cider
Author: Ashley at the Recipe Rebel
Serves about 10 cups  
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 3 hours
Total Time: 3:05

Ingredients:
1 liter apple juice, pure unsweetened
2 cups orange juice, pure unsweetened
1 liter cranberry juice, unsweetened
1/2 cup sugar, stevia, honey or other sweetener (to taste)
3 cinnamon sticks, whole
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves

Instructions:
Add all ingredients to a 4 quart or larger slow cooker. Stir.
Cook at least 3-4 hours on low or until hot. Keep warm as long as needed on the low or warm setting.  Leftovers refrigerate wonderfully and reheat just fine!

Recipe Notes:

I was going to add whole cloves and allspice, but I couldn't find any! I would never add ground spices to a cold drink, but the ground spices dissolve completely as the cider is heated so it works just as well. If you can find ground cloves and allspice and want to go that route, it would also be amazing!


Hot Pumpkin Nog Recipe
Via Mom Foodie

Hot Pumpkin Nog Recipe (Non-dairy) 
Author: Robin Gagnon at Mom Foodie
Prep Time: 2 mins 
Cook Time: 6 mins 
Total Time: 8 minutes
Yield: 2

Ingredients
1 1/2 cups Silk Vanilla Soy Milk
1 large egg + 1 yolk
3 tbs sugar
1/8 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1/8 tsp cinnamon
1/8 tsp Kosher salt
1/4 tsp pure vanilla extract
1/4 cup pumpkin puree (canned is fine)
fresh grated nutmeg

Instructions:
Pour soy milk into sauce pan. Add egg and yolk, sugar, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon salt & vanilla. Turn stove on med-high and whisk well.
Continue to whisk regularly, just before the mixture would come to a boil you will notice it thicken and the froth at the top will start to hold it’s form better. At this point remove the pan from burner and quickly whisk in pumpkin.
Pour into serving mugs and grate nutmeg over the top

Notes:
If you prefer an alcoholic beverage, include a shot of rum or whiskey when you add the pumpkin.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
Chai Spiced Cocoa
Via The View from Great Island

Chai Spiced Cocoa
Author: The View from Great Island
Yield: serves 4

Ingredients:
5 cups whole milk
4 Tbsp dark unsweetened cocoa powder
4 Tbsp confectioner's sugar
1/2 tsp cornstarch
4 star anise
1 cinnamon stick, broken in 2 pieces
6 whole cloves
1/2 tsp white peppercorns
1/2 tsp whole allspice
1/4 tsp fennel seeds
1 tsp cardamom pods, lightly crushed
3 thin slices fresh ginger
a used vanilla bean (optional but delicious)

Instructions:
Pour the milk into a saucepan and put over low heat.
Mix the cocoa, sugar, and cornstarch with a little water to make a loose paste. Pour the paste into the milk and stir or whisk to combine.
Add the whole spices and let the cocoa slowly heat until it just comes to a simmer. The longer you let it steep, the stronger the spice flavor will be.

Strain into large mugs and serve with whipped cream. Garnish with a star anise if you like.


For home tours, home tips and more visit homechanneltv.com.