Cook Like James

Spiced Mulled Apple Cider

 

Spiced Mulled Cider

 

This warm and comforting drink is great on a cold day. 

Download Spiced Mulled Cider

 

Makes about 2 quarts

 

1 cinnamon stick, broken into pieces (Use a meat mallet or heavy saucepan to break  into several pieces.)

½ teaspoon whole coriander seeds  

½ teaspoon allspice berries

¼ teaspoon black peppercorns  

¼ teaspoon whole cloves  

2 quarts apple cider  

4 strips orange zest (each about 2 inches long) 

1 - 3 tablespoons light brown sugar or dark brown sugar (to taste) 

 

 

Toast spices in large saucepan over medium heat, shaking pan occasionally, until fragrant, 1 to 3 minutes. Add cider, orange zest, and sugar and bring to boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 30 minutes, using wide, shallow spoon to skim away foam that rises to surface. Pour cider through fine-mesh strainer lined with coffee filter and discard spices and orange zest. Serve. (Mulled cider can be refrigerated in airtight container for up to one week. Reheat before serving.)

 

Refreshing Cucumber Mint Water

This is a refreshing thirst quenching recipe from one of my favorite healthy chefs, Ellie Krieger. Flavored waters are the rage these days and make a great alternative to sugary soft drinks. Feel free to substitute agave for the sugar, just stir it in with the lemon juice.

Download Refreshing Cucumber Mint Water recipe

 
1/4 cup lightly packed fresh mint leaves

2 Tbs. granulated sugar, optional

1 cup boiling water

1 medium English cucumber (about 1 lb.), peeled, seed core removed, and cut into chunks (2 1/2 cups)

2 Tbs. fresh lemon juice

Cold water as required

1. Put the mint leaves and sugar in a small pot and crush the leaves with a wooden spoon. Pour in the boiling water and stir until the sugar dissolves. Cover and set aside to steep and cool for 15 minutes.

2. Meanwhile, in a blender, purée the cucumber with 2 cups cold water. Strain the cucumber liquid and mint liquid through a fine strainer into a large bowl; discard the solids. Pour the liquid into a large pitcher. Add the lemon juice and 4 cups cold water; stir to combine. Serve over ice with lemon and cucumber slices and some sprigs of mint.

 

La Colombe Corsica Coffee

I found these beans at Greenblatt's Deli on Sunset Boulevard. They are dark roasted but produce a smooth rich coffee without the bitter taste.  http://bit.ly/6oxGfm

The Best Margaritas with Fresh Lime

The real secret to a great Margarita is choosing the best tequila, so save these for special occasions with just a few friends. Start this recipe the day before your party – it’s worth it. The longer the zest and juice mixture is allowed to steep, the more developed the citrus flavors in the finished margaritas - the full 24 hours is best, although the margaritas will still be great if the mixture is steeped only for the minimum 4 hours.

 

  Download The World’s Fresh Lime Best Margaritas

 

4 teaspoons grated lime zest 

1/2 cup lime juice from 2 to 3 medium limes

4 teaspoons grated lemon zest 

1/2 cup lemon juice from 2 to 3 medium lemons

1/4 cup superfine sugar 

 pinch table salt 

2 cups crushed ice 

1 cup 100 percent agave tequila , such as Don Julio Reposado Tequila

¼ cup Grand Marnier

¼ cup Triple Sec

Instructions

1.    Combine lime zest and juice, lemon zest and juice, sugar, and salt in large liquid measuring cup; cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until flavors meld,  24 hours.

2.    Divide 1 cup crushed ice between 4 or 6 margarita or double old-fashioned glasses. Strain juice mixture into 1-quart pitcher or cocktail shaker. Add tequila, Grand Marnier, and Triple Sec, and remaining crushed ice; stir or shake until thoroughly combined and chilled, 20 to 60 seconds. Strain into ice-filled glasses; serve immediately.

 

Healthy Super Shake

A recipe for the "healthiest" meal replacement on the planet with great metabolism-boosting power. You can substitute your favorite juice or skim milk for the Green Tea

  

Put everything in a blender and mix for 1 minute:

1 CUP GREEN TEA This no-calorie beverage has been shown to boost metabolism. (I brew a 1/2 cup and add 5 ice cubes so that it well chilled when I add it to the blender)

1 SCOOP CHOCOLATE (or VANILLA) PROTEIN POWDER  I like the Whey Protein from Whole Foods

1 TBSP GROUND FLAXSEED Flaxseed is a healthy fat that's been shown to lower LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and blood pressure in lab animals. Buy it preground at a health-food store.

1/2 CUP FROZEN RASPBERRIES, BLUEBERRIES, BLACKBERRIES, OR STRAWBERRIES Packed with disease-fighting anti-oxidants, these fiber-filled fruits are three of the best foods known to man.

1 TBSP ALMONDS Research shows that adding one or two handfuls of nuts to your daily diet reduces your risk of heart disease without leading to weight gain.

1 TBSP GREENS+ The nutrient equivalent of six servings of fruits and vegetables a day, it's the best-kept secret in supplements Available at Whole Foods or online ($19 for 4.7 oz; greensplus.com).

1 TBSP AGAVE NECTAR  A great low glycemic index sweetner