Day 4: Ginger Orange Spiced Apple Cider

At this time of year, its important to slow down and spend some quality time with friends and family. We developed this recipe as an alternative to the classic apple cider. It is lighter, less heavily spiced version. It has the wonderful flavour of fresh ginger and orange brandy. Don't worry about driving home after enjoying either, the alcohol is a small amount and will cook off while it simmers.

Serves 4.

Ingredients:

4 cups unsweetened apple juice

2 sticks cinnamon, broken in half

4 slices of fresh ginger (about 1")

6 tablespoons orange liqueur (we use Orange and Brandy by Grand Marnier, or Cointreau)

Directions:

1. In a saucepan, combine all ingredients.

2. Simmer over low heat for 20 minutes.

3. Remove cinnamon and ginger pieces and serve.

What are your favorite holiday traditions? What makes this season so special for you? Tell us, we want to hear from you!

So Great-ful for Sangria

As it is the last weekend of the summer, we have to make every minute of it count. And for my part I will be taking advantage of every opportunity to sit on the patio with friends enjoying a beautiful fruity glass of sangria, or 2. There are as many kinds of sangria as there are fish in the sea, but we prefer white sangria for those hot days.  You can make sangria with any kind of wine, traditionally it is done with cheaper bottles, but our rule is, if you want to like the drink you have to like the ingredients. Feel free to experiment with your favorite summer fruits and alcohols.

Ingredients:

1 bottle of white wine, we used Hardy's Stamp of Australia - Riesling Gewurztraminer

1/3 cup of peach schnapps, we absolutely love Dr. Mcgillicuddy's® peach liqueur!

2 peaches, peeled and sliced

1 lemon, washed and sliced into rounds

1 cup raspberries, strawberries or other seasonal fruit

1 sprig of mint leaves (optional)

1/2 liter of ginger ale (use Sprite or 7-up if you like your sangria sweeter.

Directions:

1. In a large pitcher, pour wine and liqueur and add fruit, stir gently.

2. Chill mixture for at least an hour to allow the flavours to blend.

3. Add soda and mint just before serving.

On the GREEK Yogurt bandwagon!

Yup that’s right! We've wholeheartedly hopped on the GREEK yogurt bandwagon and we’re not afraid to admit it!!! And what’s a better way to utilize the creamy goodness of Greek yogurt than in a blueberry SMOOTHIE!! A perfect early morning treat!!

For the smoothie:


1 cup blueberries (frozen or fresh)
1 whole banana
1 cup greek yogurt (vanilla)
4-5 ice cubes
1/4 teaspoon of vanilla extract
Mint garnish (optional)

Add all the ingredients to a blender and BLEND to desired consistency!!

TIP- A bit of vanilla extract adds a great richness of flavour!

What bandwagon are you on these days?