It was snowing and snowing and snowing so there wasn't much to do but stay at home and hang out. What better way to spend the afternoon but drinking Swedish Glogg the grown up Kool aide. Sitting by a fire and drinking this makes it much warmer.
Glogg
Ingredients
2 cups water or orange juice
1 (3-inch) piece orange rind
1 (1-inch) piece fresh ginger, peeled and sliced
2 cinnamon sticks
6 whole cloves
5 whole allspice
2 cardamom pods, bruised
1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise
1 (750-ml) bottle red wine, such as Burgundy
1/2 cup sugar
Garnishes: blanched almonds, golden raisins
Combine first 9 ingredients in a pot over medium heat. Bring mixture to a simmer, being careful not to boil. Reduce heat to low; cover and simmer for 15 minutes. Remove from heat, and stir in sugar. Stir until sugar dissolves. Strain mixture, and serve immediately, or gently reheat before serving. (If you prefer a stronger flavor, steep spices longer before straining.) Garnish, if desired.
Note: For a nonalcoholic version, use water or orange juice, and substitute 3 cups Concord grape juice for the wine. Omit sugar, and follow glögg procedure.
Then I parked myself in my den and drank. I suggest you do the same. Better than shopping.
