Apple Cider Apple Cups

I saw the post on Gimme some Oven for cups made out of apples (!!!) and HAD to make these.  Seriously, you cut open apples and put in some homemade (or store-bought if you want) apple cider.  Genius.  Hot apple cider on a cold day, snuggled up on the couch, is one version of paradise.  You can also try putting caramel in these apple cups and serving apple slices to dip into it (Genius again!).  Here's a link on how to do the caramel apple thing.  It's on my to-make list once my son is old enough for that sort of treat (9 months is a little early for both sugar and crunchy food though).  These apple cups are not only edible when you're done, but super-cute, fun, and different.  Try making some for a party or just because.

Ingredients:
Apples
Apple Cider (Homemade, or Store-bought)
Lemon Juice
Cinnamon Sticks

Directions:

1. Cut tops off of apples and set aside.

2.  Use a paring knife to cut around the edge of the apple to make a "rim," about 1/4"-1/2" inch thick.

3.  Using a spoon, or melon-baller, scoop out the meat of the apple.  Brush a little lemon juice inside the apple to keep it from browning.

3.  If your apple sits lopsided, feel free to shave/cut a little bit off the bottom (as long as you don't cut through the apple for obvious leakage reasons).
4.  Fill with cider, add a cinnamon stick and Enjoy!!

Homemade Apple Cider

Hot apple cider is perfect on chilly fall and winter nights.  I had never tried making my own apple cider before, but saw a recipe (from my Pinterest obsession) on gimme some oven for apple cider served in apples and decided I had to try not only to make my own cider, but also to serve Hot Apple Cider in Apple Cups.
Plus, our home was just begging to be filled with the amazing smells of cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, apples, and oranges.
So, I decided to modify the recipe I saw and go to the store to get my first cheesecloth (yep, first timer).  My main modification to the recipes I found is in terms of sugar.
[Aside: I figure that fruit is sweet enough and I don't like sugary juices, so why make a juice with sugar?  I included the optional sweetener and amounts in the ingredients, just in case you do want to make it with extra sugar.  However, I usually buy no-sugar-added juices, made with fruit only.  So, naturally, that is what I am making at home.]
The results were awesome and we enjoyed our homemade cider snuggled up on the couch.

Ingredients:
12 Medium Apples
1 Orange
4 Cinnamon Sticks
1 ts. Ground Cloves
1 tsp. Nutmeg
1 tsp. Allspice
Cheesecloth, or other fine strainer
Optional:
1/4 Cup Agave Nectar, Stevia, or other all-natural sweetener (or brown sugar if you want to use sugar).  Most recipes call for 1/2 cup to 1 cup sugar, so if you want it sweeter, go right on ahead.

Directions:
1.  Wash and cut apples and oranges into quarters (leave in stems/seeds/skin/etc).  Place in large stockpot.
2.  Add in cinnamon sticks, cloves, nutmeg, and allspice (and sugar/sweetener if you prefer).  Cover with water, filling the pot nearly to the top (minus 2-3 inches).

3.  Bring to a boil and boil, uncovered, for 1 hour.  Feel free to stir or mash (with a masher) or squeeze (with tongs), the fruit occasionally.
4.  Cover pot, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 2 more hours. Feel free to stir or mash (with a masher) or squeeze (with tongs), the fruit occasionally.
5.  Discard fruit from pot.  Filter the juice through a fine strainer (recommend a cheesecloth) and store in pitcher.

Serve hot with a cinnamon stick (cuddly blanket optional).

Enjoy!

Mango-Pineapple Daiquiris

I enjoy a good adult beverage, usually wine, but every once in awhile, I go for something different.  Usually those times are when I'm recalling my honeymoon in Jamaica and craving some fruity blended concoction.  Even on my honeymoon though, I had them make my drinks sans sugar.  Try this skinny daquiri when you're in the mood for a girly drink.   Pair with Mango Mahi Mahi.  Or serve at a party.  Or drink alone, by the pool, on vacation.  Or just on Wednesday...at noon.

Ingredients:
1/2 Cup Mango
1/2 Cup Pineapple

1/2 Cup Rum (any Rum is fine, Bacardi etc, 10 Cane is shown in this recipe's photo)
3 Tbsp. Triple Sec
3 Tbsp. Lime Juice
3 Teaspoons Sugar-Substitute (Stevia, like SweetLeaf)
Small Handful Ice Cubes

Directions:
1.  Place all ingredients in a blender.   Blend and serve.  Ahhh.

Also, good with plenty of other flavors--I like to add in Peach (another case of what to do with leftover baby purees).  Or, replace with good ol' classic strawberry for Strawberry Daiquiris 
Enjoy!