Spiced Hot Grape Punch - Grow Your Own #11

Winter is just around the corner here and I have been fixing this hot punch for friends and family in our small group that meets once a week. It is a non-alcoholic beverage, the aroma fills the air, and you can enjoy it slowly, as it is served hot. In the Summer, you can serve it cold.


This is my entry for Grow Your Own event and you can participate too! This event is about homegrown products, so if you have a garden why not celebrate the bounty of the season with a unique dish prepared with foods that you grow?

My spiced hot grape punch is made with fresh ginger from my mom and dad's garden.

Ingredients
3/4 cup sugar
1 1/2 cups water
2 tablespoons honey
Rind of 2 oranges
Rind of 1 lime
2 oz (50 to 60 g) sliced fresh ginger
4 cloves
1 cinnamon stick
2 apples, cored, peeled and chopped
4 cups (1 liter) unsweetened red grape juice


Directions:
1) In a large sauce pan over medium combine sugar and 1/2 cup water. Bring to a boil to dissolve sugar.

2) Add honey, sliced ginger, cinnamon stick, cloves, lime and orange rinds. Simmer 4 minutes. Remove rinds.

3) Add 1 cup water and simmer 5 minutes. Then add the chopped apples, the grape juice and bring to a boil again for 10 minutes. Serve hot.

Creamy Brazilian Limeade

This is a popular limeade served in restaurants in Brazil, it is very refreshing and with a creamy texture. Actually, we call it "Swiss lemonade," I have no idea why. The juice has a mousse consistency, some people use condensed milk but I prefer this lighter version, specially because my son is allergic to milk and we use soy cream as substitute for heavy cream.

3 limes
4 cups water
7oz/200 g heavy cream (I use soy cream)
1/2 cup sugar (or Splenda)
2 cups ice cubes

Directions
1) Wash limes thoroughly with water and detergent. Cut off the ends and slice into eight wedges.

2) Place limes in a blender with 2 cups water, pulsing only 3 to 5 seconds (so it won't become bitter).

3) Strain through a fine mesh strainer to remove rinds. Add 2 more cups of water, the heavy cream, sugar and ice, blend again for a few seconds. Serve immediately.

More ideas...
- Before juicing the limes, roll them under your palm against the kitchen counter, they will have more juice.
- Don't let the juice stand for too long, it will become bitter.
- Don't try this recipe with lemons.

How about some coffee?

Are you a coffee drinker? How do you like your coffee?
Sugar, black, cream, cream and sugar, decaf, instant, espresso, coffee latte, mocha, a cappuccino or else?
I prefere mine black, with little sugar. I love the aroma of coffee early in the morning.
If you would like to know more about the coffee you drink everyday, click here.