Dawns Mulled Wine Food

SANDRA'S MULLED WINE

Steps:

• Over medium-low heat, pour entire bottle of red wine into a pot. Be sure not to raise the temperature too much, otherwise the alcohol will burn off and the sugars will scorch. Stir in the sugar and continue to stir until it has dissolved, about 1 minute. Add the vanilla, apple pie spice mix, orange peel, fresh ginger and raisins. Allow mixture to steep for 10 minutes.
• Check by stirring once in a while. When the wine starts to move a bit slower and becomes a little syrupy, pour in the vodka and brandy. Continue to steep for 5 to 7 minutes
• Lay 3 to 4 almonds into the bottom of the serving glasses or mugs. If you are pouring the hot drink into glass, be sure to have a metal spoon resting inside the vessel. It will conduct the heat away from the glass so that won't crack. Using your ladle, pour the drink through the sieve (tea strainer) into the glasses. Garnish with a long cinnamon stick.

MULLED WINE

Steps:

• Put sugar and water in a 5 quart heavy pot over medium-high heat and stir until all of the sugar dissolves. Scrape the vanilla seeds from the pod and add it to the pot along with the vanilla bean and rosemary. Slowly simmer for an additional 5 minutes at very low heat.
• Meanwhile, in a piece of cheesecloth place the cinnamon, cardamom and cloves in the center. Pull the four ends together and tie kitchen string around it to make a small pouch. Make sure to leave enough string to tie around the outside handle on the pot for easy removal. Add the spice pouch, wine, brandy and cut fruit. Let it simmer on low for about 1 hour. Never let it boil. Serve warm.

DAWN'S MULLED WINE

Steps:

• Put red wine, orange pieces, cinnamon sticks & bay leaf in a pan.
• Warm but do not boil. Keep warm for 5 - 10 mins to let flavours infuse.
• When warm add brown sugar to required sweetness.
• Add the brandy or rum for a little 'oomph'.

CHEF ZANE'S MULLED WINE

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients in a stock pot. Bring to simmer for 15 minutes. Serve warm.

MULLED WINE

Steps:

• Cook over medium heat until syrupy (about 30 minutes). Add one gallon of burgundy wine and hold at serving temperature. Float orange slices on top if desired. Serve in mugs.
• TIP: I watched Alton Brown make mulled wine recently on The Food Network. He used a buffet sized coffee maker. Just put all of the mulling ingredients in the ground coffee container. Pour the water and wine into the reservoir and let it "perk" -- the pour spout makes it easy to serve. My daughter says they generally have these large cofffe makers at the thrift shops.

LAZY WINTER MULLED WINE

Steps:

• In a medium size pot, combine all ingredients (you can use a few lemon slices and pineapple chunks or rings if you wish).
• Place over medium heat and bring to a simmer.
• Reduce heat to low for about 30-40 minutes.
• Strain out fruit, cloves, and cinnamon.
• Enjoy!