Sweet

I don't really have much of a taste for sweets anymore, but they seem to come along at this time of year. Maybe it's because apples and honey get harvested. Or because people used sugar in preserving foods for the long winter? Anyway, here is a really pretty jar of honey with sliced hazelnuts and pistachios. 

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I made this cider to take to a screening of "Dawn of the Dead" at Hollywood Forever. It is strong and not to be gulped in huge quantities. It was also deliciously warming. I was surprised to find myself adding sugar to this drink, but since we started with hard cider, there actually wasn't much sugar to begin with. If you use regular nonalcoholic cider, then don't add any sugar.

Mulled Hard Cider

Ingredients

3 c (hard) cider

4 cloves

4 oz vodka (or whiskey or rum)

2 TB simple syrup

cinnamon sticks

Instructions

Heat everything in a saucepan, being careful not to boil it. When it starts steaming, transfer to a preheated thermos, or serve it.