Monday, November 23, 2009

Apples, Pumpkins & Stuff

I’ve started so many different posts in the last day or so trying to come up with one that feels right. So I asked my six-year-old grandson, “Should I write about spices, pests, or apples, pumpkins, and stuff?”

Redding’s reply, “Apples, pumpkins, and Thanksgiving stuff.” So here it is…
Row of Apples
On a gorgeous sky blue day in October Manda, Red, and I went to Votaw’s apple orchard outside of Pioneer, Ohio. The pliable branches on the trees hung to the ground from the weight of apple-laden limbs.
Apple Abundance
Redding easily picked a bag full of red and yellow delicious apples. Bright red Rome apples were plentiful, too. Wagons loads of pumpkins stood just outside the building that held more apples, cider, and honey. We took home the last bag of Cortlands, the best apple for cooking in my most humble opinion. The downside of Cortlands is that they are not good keepers, so using them promptly is key to the best apple pies and dumplings.
Pumpkins on a Wagon

So many of the flavors and scents of autumn come from the wonderful blend of apples and pumpkins paired with spices. I prefer whole spices whenever possible. I like my cinnamon sticks long, anise in stars, nutmegs that look like little brown footballs and cloves with tiny prongs holding a tinier seed aloft.
Cozying up with a mug of tongue-tingling hot mulled cider on a crisp autumn night remains a season-soothing indulgence. Not only does the apple drink taste delicious, the heavy spice fragrance lingers in the air. Making a big batch of mulled cider isn’t always feasible, but when you’re in the mood for just one or two mugs try this recipe.
Mulled Cider
Mulled Cider

2 cups of cider
1-2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 long cinnamon stick broken into small pieces
1 whole nutmeg, crushed into pieces
1 tablespoon whole cloves

Heat cider in a pan on the stove, making sure it does not boil. Add the spices and let simmer for at least 15 minutes. Using a strainer, pour the cider into your favorite mug, add a stick of cinnamon, and sip slowly savoring the spicy fall flavors.

Other spices to add for a change of pace: cardamom; vanilla bean cut in two; orange peel, a slice of orange or tangerine studded with cloves, whole allspice, lemon.

You can place all spices in a square of cheesecloth and simmer, if you don’t want to strain. Ground spices can be used, but the cider may appear cloudy.

Want to give your mulled cider a kick? Add a splash of rum, bourbon, or brandy.

I heard recently that pumpkin is in short supply this year due to wet fields. Nothing was said as to whether the shortage was due to last year’s growing conditions or this year’s. Regardless, I picked up a can of Libby’s solid pumpkin (not pie filling). One year I tried making pumpkin pies from a little sugar pie pumpkin. The end result was less satisfying, so I went back to using Libby’s and never looked back. I like pumpkin pie spicy, not just a smidge of spice flavor, but I’m talking S P I C E Y! I also prefer brown sugar over white. Maybe it’s just in my imagination, but I swear brown sugar gives pumpkin pie a richer flavor. If you follow the recipe on the label, it does not include nutmeg, but I always grate fresh nutmeg and add an extra shake of all the spices…for good measure.

I recently tried a new pie crust from the domestic sensualist and loved it. The butter adds crispness to the crust. I’m planning to use the buttery crust this year for Thanksgiving pies.

It’s going to be a busy next few days. Blogging will be put on the back burner, but I want to wish all a Happy Thanksgiving! I hope you have time to take in a bit of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, eat hearty, and find a moment for silently counting your blessings.
turkey day fairy
So to end this I asked Redding his thoughts about Thanksgiving and here’s what he had to say, “Everyone gets thankful. They gather round for their food and eat and then sit at the table and play a game.” Sounds like a lovely day indeed.

The vintage postcard photo is from The Graphics Fairy.

19 comments:

  1. That looks like a yummy recipe for
    mulled cider. Great post!
    Rosey

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  2. Wonderful post!! Lovely colorful photos...and a great read! Very nice recipe for cider too..yumm..I can almost smell the scent! Great post!

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  3. I love hot mulled cider (actually it's the only way I can drink cider).

    Hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving!

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  4. Apple picking is so much fun! It is something I look forward to every year.Your recipe sounds good and that postcard is great. Have a nice Thanksgiving.

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  5. I think you are very wise to seek your grandson's advice. I often have to think about what to post and sometimes I get "blogger's block".

    I love the photo of the apple trees bending over from the weight of the apples.

    I hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving!

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  6. Wow! What gorgeous photography.

    Happy Thanksgiving, RO :o)

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  7. Hello All!

    I'm a huge fan of mulled cider and like Suzy of Chiot's Run, it's the only way I can enjoy cider. Cold cider upsets the tummy.

    Rosey...thanks for becoming a follower and for your kind comments.

    Teresa...I love orchards, too and didn't know until this year that the county I live in has one! How sad is that? We had a grand picking on beautiful day. Thanks for stopping by.

    Noelle...Kids do say the most insightful things. Yep, I get blogger's block, too.

    Rothschild Orchid...thank you so much for stopping by the Cottage. Talk about gorgeous photography, I've been drooling over your fabulous photos.

    Happy Thanksgiving!

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  8. You have a very perceptive grandson! Lovely post, thank you. Happy Thanksgiving, Pamela.

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  9. Of course I think he's the most perceptive little man in the world, but then...I'm just a wee bit biased.

    Happy Thanksgiving, Pamela and thanks for visiting.

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  10. I was going to talk about apples (how do so many crowd up one little tree?) and pumpkins (love that picture; love a spicy pie) and cider (we've been addicted to it this fall) . . . but I got distracted by PIE CRUST! So glad that worked for you!! I'm going to be using it for my pumpkin pie, too.

    Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.

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  11. I adore mulled cider. I will have to try this delicious sounding recipe.
    : )

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  12. Loved your visit to the apple orchard. Very like a Thanksgiving post!! Your mulled cider looks delicious.

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  13. Hey,
    Just wanted to say thanks for following my blog!
    I am going to check out that link for vintage postcards, I missed that the first time I popped in here.
    Thanks
    Rosey

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  14. I loved your blog. I forgot about hot apple cider. I can even get it sugar free and add the spices. Cool. Redding is so cool. I miss you guys. Happy Thanksgiving.

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  15. Do you know I have never had mulled cider. I love cider so I am at a loss as to why. It sounds wonderful by your recipe.
    Those apple trees were really loaded down. They look so pretty hanging on the trees.
    You and yours have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

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  16. Mmmm, I can just smell that delicious spiced cider. It would sure warm me up about now.

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  17. Bev...we missed you at Thanksgiving dinner. Thanks for the kind words about my blog.

    Love you!

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  18. Never had spiced cider? I hope your try it soon, it's delicious!

    Thanks to everyone for the wonderful commments and I hope you all enjoy a warming cup of mulled cider this winter.

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  19. What a great web log. I spend hours on the net reading blogs, about tons of various subjects. I have to first of all give praise to whoever created your theme and second of all to you for writing what i can only describe as an fabulous article. I honestly believe there is a skill to writing articles that only very few posses and honestly you got it. The combining of demonstrative and upper-class content is by all odds super rare with the astronomic amount of blogs on the cyberspace.

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