Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Glühwein
Most days begin like all other days. They slide through the same motions. Most of the times, they end the same way as any other day.
Routine. That is the word used to describe such days.
But sometimes, just sometimes, a day that begins like most others has something special in store, a magic that slowly unfolds as the minutes tick.
Today was one such special, magical day.
Today, it snowed in Johannesburg.
It was something really special, because snowfall in Joburg is rare. To put it in perspective, it has snowed all of 22 days in the last 103 years!
But what made the day absolutely magical was the fact that I was seeing snowfall for the first time in my life! The daughter and I frolicked outside, sticking our tongues out to taste the snow and dancing till our noses turned cold and numb.
To keep warm, I made some hot chocolate for her and Glühwein for me. Ok, not all of it for me, I was nice and shared it with some friends who dropped in.
I wanted to use Manisha's recipe but unfortunately, I was unable to access her blog today. So, I turned to Google (who else!) and adapted this recipe and another one that my friend Jess had emailed to make my Glühwein.
Ingredients:
Red wine: 1 litre (any red wine will do, I used a Merlot)*
Zest of 3 oranges and 1 lemon
Orange juice: 350 ml
Cinnamon quill: 2 nos
Cloves: 8
Star Anise: 1
Peppercorn: 10 nos
Sugar: 1/2 cup
Brandy: 1/2 cup, or less.
*Most recipes will recommend using a cheaper wine, but according to Jess, the cheaper the wine, the more sugar you need. Don't pull out your best wine, but the wine should be drinkable.
Method:
Combine all the ingredients in a saucepan, except the brandy, and heat gently for about 20 minutes without allowing the mixture come to a boil.
Turn off the heat, cover and allow all the flavours to infuse, about 30 minutes.
Strain, re-heat, add the brandy and serve.
Just as the Glühwein was ready to sip, it began snowing in earnest. Obviously, I had to first freeze my fingers and take some pictures.
Perfect day to enjoy the Glühwein. You do agree, don't you?
Routine. That is the word used to describe such days.
But sometimes, just sometimes, a day that begins like most others has something special in store, a magic that slowly unfolds as the minutes tick.
Today was one such special, magical day.
Today, it snowed in Johannesburg.
It was something really special, because snowfall in Joburg is rare. To put it in perspective, it has snowed all of 22 days in the last 103 years!
But what made the day absolutely magical was the fact that I was seeing snowfall for the first time in my life! The daughter and I frolicked outside, sticking our tongues out to taste the snow and dancing till our noses turned cold and numb.
To keep warm, I made some hot chocolate for her and Glühwein for me. Ok, not all of it for me, I was nice and shared it with some friends who dropped in.
I wanted to use Manisha's recipe but unfortunately, I was unable to access her blog today. So, I turned to Google (who else!) and adapted this recipe and another one that my friend Jess had emailed to make my Glühwein.
Ingredients:
Red wine: 1 litre (any red wine will do, I used a Merlot)*
Zest of 3 oranges and 1 lemon
Orange juice: 350 ml
Cinnamon quill: 2 nos
Cloves: 8
Star Anise: 1
Peppercorn: 10 nos
Sugar: 1/2 cup
Brandy: 1/2 cup, or less.
*Most recipes will recommend using a cheaper wine, but according to Jess, the cheaper the wine, the more sugar you need. Don't pull out your best wine, but the wine should be drinkable.
Method:
Combine all the ingredients in a saucepan, except the brandy, and heat gently for about 20 minutes without allowing the mixture come to a boil.
Turn off the heat, cover and allow all the flavours to infuse, about 30 minutes.
Strain, re-heat, add the brandy and serve.
Just as the Glühwein was ready to sip, it began snowing in earnest. Obviously, I had to first freeze my fingers and take some pictures.
Perfect day to enjoy the Glühwein. You do agree, don't you?
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How wonderful!! We get tonnes of snow here and I make spiced cider often!
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