Slow Cooker White Cranberry Spiced Wine Food

MULLED WHITE WINE

Steps:

• Stud the orange with cloves. Slice in half.
• Add wine, sugar and orange juice to a Dutch oven, large pot, or slow cooker.
• Add studded orange, lemon, and spices.
• Simmer on very low heat, stirring occasionally, for 20-30 minutes. If using slow cooker, set on LOW for 2 hours.
• Ladle into mugs and garnish with a lemon slice, cinnamon stick and freshly grated nutmeg.

SLOW-COOKER WHITE CRANBERRY SPICED WINE

Steps:

• In 3 1/2 or 4-quart slow cooker, combine all ingredients; mix well.
• Cover; heat on Low setting for 3 to 4 hours. Remove cinnamon sticks with slotted spoon.
• To serve, have guests ladle hot wine into cups.

SLOW COOKER CRANBERRY-ORANGE MULLED WINE

Steps:

• Add wine, orange juice, cranberries, and sugar to a 3-quart or larger Crock Pot. Stir to help sugar begin to dissolve.
• Wash orange thoroughly and stud the orange with the cloves - just stick the cloves directly into the peel, pointy end first. I like to poke it all over with a toothpick first to make holes for the cloves.
• Add the clove-studded orange and the cinnamon sticks to the wine.
• Cook on low for 2 - 3 hours, or until the berries are tender. You can cook it for an hour or two longer if you wish, but take care that it doesn't boil.
• Remove the orange and the cinnamon sticks, then VERY CAREFULLY pour the mulled wine through a fine-mesh sieve into a large heat-proof bowl. Using the back of the spoon, press on the cranberries to get all of the juices into the bowl. A berry or two may burst, so watch out!
• Return wine to the Crock Pot and stir in the brandy. Taste and add additional sugar until it's just sweet enough. I like it just past the pucker point; you may prefer a sweeter mulled wine.
• Ladle into mugs and serve with a cinnamon stick, an orange slice, and/or fresh cranberries pushed onto a cocktail stick, if desired.
• Keep your Crock Pot on the "warm" setting to keep the wine nice and hot. If your Crock Pot doesn't have a warm setting, try alternating between "low" and off.

SPICED CRANBERRY SAUCE

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients in a saucepan and simmer, covered, stirring occasionally for 5 to 10 minutes, or until the cranberries have burst and the mixture has thickened. (I put the cloves in a tea diffuser for easier removal and usually cook the sauce a little longer than the time given.).
• Transfer the sauce to a bowl and let cool.
• The sauce may be made 2 days in advance and kept covered and chilled.
• Serve at room temperature.