Hot Apple Cider, Perfect for Autumn Evenings!

This recipe came from one of my favourite blogs - A Sweet Pea Chef www.asweetpeachef.com/

It's very simple, you need:

2 liters good quality apple juice
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 apple, unpeeled and halved
1 small navel orange, sliced into 1 cm slices
2 tsp. whole cloves
2 cinnamon sticks
1/2 tsp. freshly ground nutmeg
1/2 tsp allspice

Serves 6-8

All you need to do it put your apple juice in a large pan over a medium heat to heat up.

While it's heating, stick your cloves into the flesh of the apple halves inside and out (like in the picture from Lacey's blog).

Once your apple juice is hot, stir in the brown sugar until it dissolves.
Now add your clove studded apple, orange slices and spices. Bring to a simmer and simmer for 15-20 minutes.
Strain your cider and serve hot in mugs or punch glasses.

This is a great one for parties and if you want to make the cider go further you can get away with adding a little boiling water as it's quite sweet. Do so to taste.

Bacon and Egg Cups

I saw this yesterday on the Martha Stewart site and just had to try it! Mine doesn't look as pretty but it was fairly delicious! This recipe us perfect for having a nice breakfast on a work/school day as you can pop it on and go and get ready. 

The concept is simple -  you need per person:

1 slice of bread

1/2 tablespoon butter - melted

1 slice of bacon

1 egg 

You can make as many as you like in one go using either a muffin tin or ramekins - just grease them and put the oven info 180 degrees c to preheat. 

Martha Stewart says to cut circles out of the bread and overlap 2 of them - and if you have time/can be bothered please feel free to. But I'm lazy/time poor so I just cut the bread in half and sort if squeezed it in trying not to allow gaps and making as much of a cup shape as possible. 

Now melt the butter and spread/pour/brush it onto the bread cup. 

Put your bread cups into the oven and put your bacon in a pan. Cook the bacon until just done (it will cook more in the oven) and lay one slice on top of each bread cup. 

Crack an egg into the cup on top of the bacon and put back in the oven for 20-25 minutes or until the white has just set. 

Remove bread cups from tin/ramekin with a spoon and serve immediately with your favourite breakfast condiment! 

What's your work morning breakfast option?