Hot Spiced Cider
     submitted by Cathy Lam

This is our traditional Christmas Eve spiced punch - it smells great simmering on the stove all night, and puts everyone in a festive spirit!

Apple cider (1-2 gallons)
3 oranges
2 apples
whole cloves
cinnamon sticks
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1/4 cup honey
3 tbsp. lemon juice
1 can unsweetened pineapple juice
brandy (for the more adventurous ones!)

Stud 3 oranges with cloves (about a dozen each). Place on a cookie sheet and bake in a 325 degree oven for 30 minutes. Pour cider into a large pot on stove. Place studded oranges in cider. Slice apples horizontally to make fairly thick slices; place in cider. Place several cinnamon sticks in cider, along with nutmeg, honey, lemon juice and pineapple juice. Simmer uncovered, adding additional cider throughout the evening as needed. Serve when hot, ladling cider into mugs - add a splash of brandy to mug as desired.