Spiced Apple Cider with Clove Oranges

On Monday we woke to a temperature of – 15° F.  If this sounds very cold, that’s because it IS.  Especially first thing in the morning when you have to stand in snow 2 feet deep goading a puppy to go potty.  On days like these, I like to keep a pot of this heavenly cider simmering on the stove. There’s nothing so soothing as stepping in from the cold to a warm kitchen filled with the smells of apple, cinnamon and cloves. This spiced cider hugs like a blanket, filling you with warmth and sweetness. Adapted from Williams-Sonoma Thanksgiving Entertaining.

Yields twelve 1-cup servings.

SODIUM CONTENT: 25 mg per serving

INGREDIENTS

3 small oranges or tangerines, about 3/4 lb. total weight
36 whole cloves
3 qt. apple cider
14 cinnamon sticks (10 tied with a strip of orange zest, if desired)
2 star anise pods

DIRECTIONS

Stud each orange with 12 cloves, pressing in firmly to secure. Place the oranges in a large pot, pour in the cider and warm over low heat. Tie 4 of the cinnamon sticks and the 2 star anise in cheesecloth and place in pot. Bring to a simmer and keep warm over low heat until serving.

To serve, ladle into cups and garnish with a cinnamon stick tied with orange zest, if desired.