MULLIN’ AROUND THE PLACE
PART OF VALENTINE’S DAY MENU
If you mean the demon drink that poisons the mind, pollutes the body, desecrates family life, and inflames sinners, then I’m against it. But if you mean the elixir of Christmas cheer, the shield against winter chill, the taxable potion that puts needed funds into public coffers to comfort little . . . children, then I’m for it. ~Anonymous
Yesterday, I got carried away with fruit which, in my humble opinion, is the staff of life (as Dictionary.com defines staff: that which supports or sustains). If we have to get carried away, we certainly couldn’t do better than fruit. Having gotten a massive amount of content up in the past two weeks, I’ve concluded that — if I want to live through the year — I’m going to have to adjust my pace.
Speaking of apples, have you had any cider lately? Green markets are full of apple ciders, and I’ve even seen pear cider. ‘Tis the cider season, so I urge you to grab it while you can before it’s over and the only thing left are the highly refined ciders in the grocery stores. Buy it now, mull it up and keep it for that dinner you’re planning for your valentine. I have a preparation for hot mulled cider that is a soothing pick-me-up after shoveling the car out from the day’s snowfall or just tackling an afternoon of laundry. With or without rum, it’s perfect for curling up on the sofa with a loved one (two- or four-legged) or a fat book for an afternoon of quality time .
The thing about mulling cider, once you’ve boiled it, it will keep for a long time in the refrigerator, and you can freeze it to prolong the cider season almost indefinitely. Just be sure and skim off the scum that forms prior to it’s reaching a boil; that’s the stuff that rots and causes it to turn (I think). You can do it the easy way – with spices and a roasted orange – or an even easier way – just heat it up and throw in a cinnamon stick. But that’s not mulling so much as just heating up. The simmering of the orange in the cider is the real deal, and the roasted orange gives it a nice citrus under-flavor that holds its own with the alcohol.
The scent of the orange roasting in the oven and the cider mulling on the stove smells like winter indoors. Roast that orange when you’re home all day or expecting visitors — or having an open house! — to get the most out of your efforts. Begin mulling the cider before those special guests arrive. Cider is always good to have on hand, to enjoy any time of the day or night.
Small children love to stick cloves into oranges – if they’re about – so you should have no trouble finding recruits scattered around the house to lend a hand. Throw a peeled juice orange in the oven next time you bake something (a chicken, maybe?) and you’ll be ready to mull. The only thing you have to do is keep an eye on the mulling pot; cider that has boiled-over onto the stove is a mukhwa to clean up. Besides, you have to skim the scum as it begins to form, so that’s two reasons to keep your eyes peeled. An ounce of prevention. . . . And, no, it doesn’t work to filter it through a coffee filter. I’ve tried it, several times, and the scum clogs the filter.  So grab your cell phone, call you mom, and mull some cider!
