Glowing, radiant health is the new black. Our Green Table is serving it up, for the whole body! Healthy recipes and tips, the latest on eco-friendly food and "skin food"products and a head's up on ingredient safety are all woven into family-centered stories and discoveries. Bring informed, aware and empowered looks good on everyone!



Abrazos! xox Penny








Thursday, November 11, 2010

Salute!

Today is Veteran's Day and Our Green Table offers a heartfelt salute of deep gratitude to all who serve or have served our country. We have gotten so much because of our Veterans and they deserve much better from us than this once a year recognition.



Interesting enough, a hearty salutation, "salut" is a popular toast and means "to your health". This is also "Thirsty Thursday" on OGT and so raise a glass today to our Veterans or better yet, thank one in person and wish him or her "salut" . Then, as a grateful citizen, see what you can do to help make their great health happen and fight for them as hard as they fought for us..

Here is an all-American fall beverage just perfect for your toast.



Spicy Mulled Cider

2 quarts fresh apple cider
1/4 cup (packed) light brown sugar
2 bay leaves
2 cinnamon sticks (about 2 inches each)
1/2 teaspoon whole cloves
1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/2 teaspoon grated nutmeg
Zest of 1 orange, peeled in continuous spiral if possible
1 ounce per serving of rum, brandy, or Calvados (optional)

Spiced Butter (optional):

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 cups (packed) dark brown sugar
1 Tablespoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon grated nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

Combine the apple cider, light brown sugar, bay leaves, cinnamon sticks, cloves, cardamom, nutmeg, and orange zest in a large pan. Bring to a boil, then simmer uncovered 30 minutes. Strain the spices from the mixture and discard. Return the cider to pan and keep warm. The cider is ready to be served as is. If spiking it up, pour 1 ounce of the preferred liquor into each serving mug and fill with the hot cider.

If you want to doll up the cider even more with the spiced butter, cream the butter and dark brown sugar together with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add the spices and continue beating 1 minute more. Float a heaping teaspoon of the butter on top of each serving of hot cider. Store any leftover butter in the refrigerator. Serves 8.

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