Mull it Over

One thing European's love at Christmastime is their German markets. German markets in Paris and Prague, in Brussels and Budapest...and, of course, in London. At the start of December each year, these markets stake out space in the capital cities like Americans in a park on the Fourth of July. Little kiosks sell trinkets and toys while succulent sausages are turned over grills and paper-thin crepes are flipped and drizzled with Nutella. Carnival rides whirl with flashing lights while families make their way through the pathways, lucky to get out without a million "can I have/do/eat/play with/touch that"s from their screaming strollers, laden three-deep with kids.

I ventured back to the Hyde Park Winter Wonderland (http://www.hydeparkwinterwonderland.com/) last night with some girlfriends after our last law seminar. Best. People watching. Ever. Even on a Tuesday night, you couldn't get near the place. After considering the endless options for dinner, we all opted to drink our calories, and headed towards one of the stands offering mulled wine. De-lish. Two cups and some shared sugared-almonds later, we had had enough of London for one evening, and hopped on the tube in different directions, each of us happy to go back to our quiet flats, away from Hyde Park.

If you haven't made mulled wine before, the recipe looks simple enough, and it honestly is like Christmas in a cup. I would definitely suggest simmering up some for Christmas Eve dinner (J, I hope you're reading this)!

Ingredients

2 clementines
peel of 1 lemon
peel of 1 lime
2 cups granulated sugar
2 cinnamon sticks
2 tsp. nutmeg
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2 bottles red wine
1/2 cup Cointreau
orange slices for garnish

Combine sugar, lemon and lime peel, juice of 2 clementines, nutmeg, vanilla extract in large saucepan

Stir in enough red wine to just cover sugar

Simmer on medium heat until sugar is fully dissolved

Bring to boil, keep on rolling boil for 4-5 minutes (should form thick syrup)

Turn heat to low, add remaining red wine, clementine halves, and cinnamon sticks

Gently heat wine for about 5 minutes*; should be ready to serve warm

Ladle out in festive glasses and garnish with an orange slice!

* Do not let wine boil, as the alcohol will all burn off
**Make the recipe your own by adding your favorite spices, honey or swapping in brown sugar!

Cheers!