Hot Spiced Cider

Ingredients:

8 cups Apple Cider
6 inches stick cinnamon
1 t whole allspice
1 t whole cloves
8 whole cloves (optional)
1 orange, sliced (optional)
Apple Brandy or other liquor (as desired)

Mull the Cider with the spices in a large pot.  If desired, stud the (optional) orange slices with the (optional) cloves.  Serve into mugs with a shot of Apple Brandy.

Sweeten if desired.

Mock Mince Meat Pie

Ingredients:

2 pie pastries
1 1/2 c chopped apples
1 1/3 c sugar
1 c raisins
1/2 t salt
1/2 c canned jellied cranberry sauce
1/2 t cinnamon
1/3 c coarsely chopped nuts
1/4 t ground cloves
1/4 c lemon juice
1/4 t ground ginger

Instructions:

Mix filling ingredients together.  Fill crust, dot top with butter, cover with 2nd crust, aerate the top crust and flute the edges.

Bake in a 400 degree oven for 30-35 minutes.

Note:  Chilling so crust is firm before baking helps it bake nicely and not shrink so much.

Waldorf Salad

(you don't know how lucky you are!)

Sauce Ingredients:

2 eggs, beaten
1 t salt
1 c sugar
2 T butter
a little more than 1/4 c apple cider vinegar and fill up to 1/2 cup line with water.

Sauce Instructions:

Mix all ingredients together until smooth.  Cook until thickened, stirring constantly- but don't overcook.  Sauce can be done in advance and cooled in refrigerator until needed.

Salad Ingredients:

1 bunch of red seedless grapes, halved
3 stalks celery, finely chopped
2 large apples, finely chopped (granny smith's are goo-ood!)
1 c pecans, finely chopped

Salad Instructions:

Combine the Salad Ingredients in large bowl and stir in the cooled sauce.  This can be prepared a day ahead and refrigerated until just before time to eat...

Finishing Ingredients:

1 pint heavy whipping cream, whipped

Finishing Instructions:

Add cold sauce to salad, then fold in whipped cream right before serving!

(you don't know how lucky you are!)