Holiday Entertaining

   

Welcome Back to the Ever Ready Kitchen

Hope your Christmas was one filled with joy. I may have taken a week off from blogging, but I cooked a lot, tried new recipes, and was busy entertaining. Our daughter was here for several days, and we went on several excursions.  I am excited to share a few recipes with you just before 2025 comes to a close. 

The new word for the week is Gluhwein, which literally means “glowing wine.” It is a mulled wine traditionally served in Germany, the Alsace region of France, and other parts of northern Europe. Gluhwein is a popular beverage served at every German Christmas market during the holiday season.

I took these photos in late November, several years ago, at the Christmas market in Vienna. Since the weather was quite cold, a mug of Gluhwein really hit the spot. 

In this picture, note the man carrying a yellow mug of mulled wine. Wine is sold in special keepsake mugs. An hour later, a freezing drizzle followed by snow sent the crowds scurrying into warm places.

The mulled wine is prepared with red wine that has been heated and spiced up with cinnamon sticks, citrus (orange or lemon), cloves, and sometimes raisins.

You don't need to go to Vienna to enjoy a glass of Gluhwein, as it can be made in your own kitchen. 

Glühwein – Mulled Wine Recipe

Ingredients:

• ½ cup sugar 
• ½ cup water 
• 1 large cinnamon stick 
• 1 orange 
• 8 whole cloves 
• 2-star anise
• 1 bottle of red wine (Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Beaujolais, Merlot, or Shiraz are suggested wines to use). I used Cabernet Sauvignon.
• Cinnamon sticks to serve with the beverage 
• Optional but quite good, adding in a splash of brandy (1-2 tablespoons) with each serving.

Directions:

• In a saucepan, combine water, sugar, and cinnamon sticks. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, and simmer. 
• Cut the orange in half and divide the cloves in half. Place cloves in each orange half and place in simmering water. 
• Simmer on low for 30 minutes or until thick and syrupy. 
• Pour in the wine. Heat until steaming but not simmering. Avoid having it boil, as you don't want to boil off the alcohol. Reduce heat to low cover and let it simmer for 1/2 hour or up to three hours.  
• Remove the clove-studded orange halves, anise and cinnamon stick.  
• Serve hot in mugs that have been preheated or glasses preheated with warm water-(note a cold glass could break) 
• Add a splash of brandy and serve with a cinnamon stick and orange slice. 

The following recipes were fun discoveries, made with few ingredients and quite tasty. They were perfect appetizers to share with friends. 

Crockpot Meatballs with Cherry Bourbon Sauce

Cook's Notes:
These meatballs were made in a crockpot and then transferred to this dish, and served with a small container of toothpicks for the guests.
It's a no-fuss recipe using only 5 ingredients. Let your slow cooker do the work for this recipe.
Ingredients:

• 1 bag frozen pre-cooked Italian meatballs (I used about 36 meatballs from the bag)
• 1 (13 oz.) jar cherry or black cherry preserves (preferred brand Bonne Maman)
• ½ cup ketchup
• 4 tablespoons bourbon
• ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
• Optional: Add a little heat to the sauce with hot sauce

Directions:

• In a saucepan, mix all the ingredients except the meatballs.
• Cook on medium-low heat for 3 minutes, uncovered.
• Add frozen meatballs to the crockpot. Pour the sauce over the meatballs. Stir to combine.
• Cover and cook on low for 2 hours. Stir occasionally.

Ritz Holiday S'mores

Cook's Notes: Winner -winner made with only three ingredients! 

Another option-the recipe did call for adding a bit of deli ham or turkey over the jelly, but I skipped that part. 

Ingredients: 

• Ritz Crackers
• Brie Cheese
• Pepper Jelly  (deli section) 

Directions:

• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
• No need to take rind off cheese.
• Place Ritz crackers on the baking sheet.
• Add a teaspoon of jelly to each cracker and top with a small piece of Brie cheese.

  

  Disclaimer: This was my first attempt (above photo) when I realized I needed parchment paper on a baking sheet to prevent sticking. Then I found out you can buy Brie Bites in a grocery store. I had a wedge of Brie and cut pieces from that for the recipe, which did work.  
  
• Heat crackers in the oven for 5 minutes.
• Remove the baking sheet from the oven and immediately top with another cracker and press lightly together like a sandwich.