Cold weather means it’s cider time

Mom’s Corner

I did something this weekend that I have not needed to do in several months.   I had to huddle under a blanket while at my daughter’s softball game.   My husband insisted it was not that cold.  However, my goose bumps insisted it was.
I suppose the weather could have been considered just a crisp fall evening.  It did lead me to start contemplating fall recipes.  Of course, the first thing that comes to mind is Hot Apple Cider.  I use my Mom’s recipe which is super simple.  It’s  1/2 gallon of apple cider, one orange with several cuts half way through it, 2 or 3 cinnamon sticks, and 1-2 teaspoons of cloves.  Put it all in a sauce pan on the stove and heat until steaming.  It can also be made in a crockpot or a peculator.
As soon as the weather begins to cool off, I also begin to think of fall favorites like caramel apples.  Due to a peanut allergy, I cannot have the yummy one from the store.  So I make my own.  Well, actually I make my own caramel dip by melting caramels and mixing a little sour cream in it.  Yes, really sour cream!  It keeps the caramel from hardening.  It does need to be refrigerated.
I cannot help but also think about apple pie.  There are many variations on apple pie.  My Mom always put Red Hot cinnamon candies in her apple pie.
There are multitudes of “hot” recipes like chilis, soups, pot pies,  casseroles, and well, you get the idea.  I am always on the lookout for new meals.  For the next few weeks I will share an old favorite of mine and hopefully a new favorite from my readers.  So please send in your favorite cold weather recipe to moms-corner@juno.com!   I can hardly wait to try them!   Have a great week.