Eggnog is a Christmas classic, and the holidays wouldn’t be the same without it! Instead of buying store-bought eggnog this year, why not make your own? All you need is milk, cream, eggs, sugar, spices, and some rum! It’s really easy to make, and you’ll be surprised why you haven’t tried it before!

Homemade Eggnog

Photos: Brooklyn’s Supper, Pepper.

Nothing says fall like apples and cinnamon! Making your own cider is not only fun, but the aromas cooking make your house smell amazing! This cider takes about an hour to make, but it’s so worth it!

Homemade Apple Cider Cocktail

Delicious homemade apple cider cocktail that brings all the flavors of fall into one glass!

Ingredients for the Apple Cider

• 10-12 apples, cut into fours without core
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 6 cinnamon sticks or 1 tbsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp cloves
• 8 cups water (or enough to fill the pot a few inches above the apples)

Ingredients for the Cocktail

• ice
• vodka
• cinnamon sticks and apple slices for garnish

Instructions

1. Place apples in a large pot with water.
2. Stir in sugar, spices and cinnamon sticks. Bring to a boil for 1 hour, then cover and simmer for another hour.
3. Place a strainer over a large bowl and pour the mixture in the strainer. Discard apples. Strain the cider again through a cheese cloth by placing it over a bowl.
4. Pour into a pitcher and refrigerate.
5. Fill an 8 oz glass to the top with ice.
6. Pour 1 shot of your favorite vodka the ice and fill the rest with cider.
7. Stir to mix ingredients and garnish with a cinnamon stick and an apple slice.

Photos and recipe: Sugar and Charm.

We love using spices and herbs! From simple oregano and basil to nutmeg and saffron, there are many to choose from. There are spices and herbs that are common in every day dishes that we use almost every day. If you’re wondering which to stock up on, read our list!

1. Oregano

Oregano is a staple in Mediterranean cuisine, and it’s mostly used on pizza, as well as tomato sauce. Due to its strong flavor, oregano is best paired with other bold flavors to keep it from dominating the dish.

2. Basil

Just like oregano, basil is a staple spice that’s added to sauces and topped on pizza. Basil goes best with tomato dishes. Basil can also be paired with meats, fish, and salads.

3. Rosemary

Just as you would with oregano, rosemary is best paired with bold flavors since it has a bold flavor itself. You can remove the leaves from the stems and just add them like that to your dish, or you can chop them up to release the oils and thus more flavor.

4. Cinnamon

Cinnamon can be used as a natural food preservative due to its ability to stop mold from growing. It can be used in savoy and sweet dishes like chili, beef brisket, or pumpkin pie.

5. Black Pepper

Black pepper is the most widely used spice in the world. Dishes with a cream sauce may require white pepper, which is a milder version than black pepper. Black pepper is usually added after the dish has been cooked.

6. Sage

Because of its minty taste, sage is often used in sauces for meant entrees like pork chops, chicken breasts, and turkey. It also goes well with squash and pumpkin.

7. Bay Leaves

Bay leaves were used by the ancient Greeks, and it’s commonly used in Mediterranean cuisine. Bay leaves can be used in soups, meat stews, seafood dishes, and vegetable dishes.

8. Paprika

Paprika is a common spice used in the Balkans, Morocco, and even South Africa. It can be used in stews such as goulash, and it is also used in preparation of sausages. Paprika also goes well with tomato dishes, and in chili.

9. Onion Powder

Onion powder is simply ground onion with salt. You can use it in pasta dishes, pizza, and on grilled chicken.

10. Nutmeg

Nutmeg goes great in stuffings and sausages. It also pairs well with lamb, veal, and pumpkin.

Photos: Wikimedia, Evo Marketplace, Gourmandistan, Rhinobutt, Jones Garden, Free Food Photos, Amoils, Gujarat, Cooks.ndtv, Your Med Guide.

Everyone can remember the delicious taste of their grandma’s apple pie. Juicy apples, cinnamon, and a perfect crust are what makes up the perfect apple pie. Try serving it with vanilla ice cream for a classic dessert. If you want to know how to make this scrumptious pie, read on for the recipe!

Grandma’s Old-Fashioned Apple Pie

A delicious old-fashioned apple pie just like grandma used to make! We guarantee you won’t be disappointed!

Ingredients for the crust

• 2 1/2 cups all purpose-flour
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 sticks unsalted butter, cut into 1/2 inch dice and chilled
• 1/4 cup ice water

Ingredients for the filling

• 3 pounds apples, peeled, cored, and cut into 1/4 inch thick slices
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp freshly grated nutmeg
• pinch of salt
• 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter cut into small dice
• 1 egg, beaten
• 2 tbsp turbinado sugar for sprinkling

Instructions

1. Using a food processor, combine flour and salt. Add in the butter and mix until the mixture resembles a coarse meal. Add in the ice water and mix until just combined. Turn dough out onto a flat surface and pat into 2 disks. Wrap them in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
2. Preheat your oven to 425°. Roll out 1 disk of dough into a 12 inch circle that’s 1/4 inch thick. Place the dough into a 10 inch deep-dish glass pie plate. Roll out the second disk of dough to a 12 inch round circle. Transfer the dough to a wax paper lined baking sheet and refrigerate.
3. In a bowl, combine apples, sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Add in lemon juice and toss until everything is well coated. Leave it to rest for about 10 minutes to let the sugar dissolve slightly.
4. Add the apples and juices into the pie plate and dot with butter. Cover with the top crust and press edges together. Trim any overhanging dough to 1 inch and pinch to seal. Then, fold the dough rim under itself and crimp decoratively if you like.
5. Brush pie with the beaten egg and sprinkle with the turbinado sugar.
6. Cut 3 small gashes in the top of the pie so the steam can vent.
7. Bake the pie for 30 minutes. After the 30 minutes are up, lower the oven temperature to 365° and bake for 45 to 50 minutes more until you see the fruit juices bubbling through the steam vents and the pie crust is golden. If the pie is getting too dark too quickly, cover with foil loosely during baking.
8. When the pie is finished, cool for 2 hours before serving.
9. The cooled pie can be stored in the fridge for up to 2 days. Warm it up before serving for best results.

Photos: Hannah Grimes Marketplace, Sugar Duchess.