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In Ancient Greece, December 25th (or more accurately the 25th of Skirophorion) was much like any other day. Jesus wasn’t even a twinkle in Anyone’s eye and Santa’s ancestors weren’t even Vikings yet.
So how did the ancient Greeks celebrate Christmas? Well, they didn’t obviously. But thanks to their multi-god belief system, they had plenty of things to celebrate on the 25th of Skirophorion. If the celebration of Athena wasn’t enough, you could easily break open a cask and drink to Dionysus, the god of wine and celebration.
This Christmas, add another tradition to your holiday gathering with the Merry Dionysmas Mulled Wine. Keep a pot of red wine warm on the stove with a merry assortment of Christmas spices to keep the embers glowing in your holiday heart.
INGREDIENTS:
1 magnum (1.5L) of red wine
6 oz of brandy
½ cup of runny honey
1 Tbsp coriander
5 cloves
2 sticks of cinnamon
1 orange, peeled
PROCEDURE:
Pour the honey, brandy and wine into a large pot and place over medium low heat. Put a lid on it, so it heats up faster. Don’t boil it on high or all the booze will evaporate. You can leave it on the stove once it is warm for a couple hours on low heat, which makes it ideal for open house parties.
Combine all the spices in a disposable loose-leaf tea-bag, like a Bouquet Garni. Place the bouquet into the wine and allow it to steep for at least 10 minutes, but don’t leave it in there longer than 1 hour. If you are still drinking it after an hour, just remove the flavour pouch and carry on drinking.
Serve mulled wine directly from the pot into mugs or goblets as desired.
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I’ve just decided. I need a whole room full of Kitchen Scraps framed art. I adore it. I giggle over it. I MUST. MUST. MUST be able to gaze upon the pics often. When IS that book going to be out?
Another fine and fabulous post.
Merry Skirophorion.
Comment by Brooke December 17, 2008 @ 3:17 pmmmmm, i love your illustrations! and mulled wine? a definitely staple this time of year. yum.
Comment by kickpleat December 18, 2008 @ 9:00 pmwhen are you coming over for a holiday drink?
Comment by Stacey Snacks December 23, 2008 @ 4:25 amI will make the mulled wine!
Merry Happy!
Stacey
This artwork is GLORIOUS!
Comment by Mimi December 23, 2008 @ 8:18 pmAnd you cook?
Can we get married?
Yes, I can cook, but the position of number one recipe tester has already been filled.
Comment by kitchenscraps December 30, 2008 @ 5:43 amThis a perfect recipe for mulled wine. Yum-oh!
Comment by Kinton December 23, 2008 @ 8:20 pmDoes it matter what kind of orange? I think I have lil cuties sitting around would that work?
If the little japanese oranges work I would love to know. I would be more inclined to stick with navel orange peel.
Comment by kitchenscraps December 30, 2008 @ 5:45 amI agree with Brooke who wrote the first comment. I really like your recipes and how you present them. And if you have any plans to print your illustrations, they would make lovely posters to go along with the cookbook of course!
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!
Comment by Liza December 27, 2008 @ 7:38 pmIf you live in the Calgary area, there are plans to do a launch of the cookbook at the Cookbook Co. as well as another launch at Uppercase Gallery with printed work available with the books. But the book is a long way away and the plans are far from written in stone.
Comment by kitchenscraps December 30, 2008 @ 5:47 amI’m lovin this artwork!
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