Deb’s Gourmet Apples

Wassail is both a toast to someones health and a mouth watering drink. The word comes from old Norse ves heill be well, from ves (imperative singular of vera to be) + heill healthy

The best way to brew Wassail is with a pan nestled near, not in, the flames of a fireplace fire. If you don’t have a fireplace, brew it on the stove, over very low heat for about 30 - 40 minutes.

Ingredients:

• 2 1/4 pints of a nice brown ale
• 3 - 4 cinnamon sticks
• 4 cloves
• the zest from 1/2 a lemon
• 4 apples
• 11/2 cups dark brown sugar
• 1 cup of port
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon allspice
• 1/4 teaspoon cardomon
• 1/2 teaspoon ginger

Pre heat your oven to 350 degrees for the baked apples.

While the oven is heating put 2 pints of the ale in a large sauce pan, with the cinnamon sticks, lemon zest and cloves. Bring this to a simmer over a low heat.
While the ale is simmering bake your apples. Take a strip of skin off of the middle of each a the four apples. Place them in a baking dish. Cover the apples with the remaining 1/4 pint of ale, a cup of brown sugar and the port. Place the covered baking dish in the oven and cook for 30 minutes.

While your apples are baking add all of the rest of the spices and sugar to the pot. Keep the simmer nice and gentle. when the apples have baked pour apples and the juices from the baking dish into the pot and continue to cook for another 30 minutes. To serve pour into a large bowl, traditionally wooden, and ladle into mugs. So warm and delicious.

NOTE:

Tradition has it that to toast Wassail you drink directly from the bowl sharing the brew with your family and friends.