Christmas gift that are homemade and edible are the best by far. Mulled wine sachets are perfect for sharing. Everyone loves a glass of mulled wine or apple juice for festive cheer. These spice bombs can be made well in advance and given as part of a hamper or with a bottle of your favourite red. Simply make up the sachets and attach a gift card with the directions written inside. Merry Christmas!
MULLED WINE SACHETS
In a 6″x6″ square of unbleached muslin, found at your local fabric/sewing shop, add the following except the cinnamon stick:
4 black peppercorns
1 star anise
1 tsp whole cloves
1 tsp whole allspice berries
1/4 tsp freshly ground nutmeg
2 tbsp sugar
4 cardamon pods
1 tsp dried orange rind (see instructions below)
2 inch” piece of cinnamon stick
Tie up the sachet with kitchen twine, adding the cinnamon stick to the knot.
GIFT TAG
Pour a bottle of red wine into a medium sized pot, add a sachet and heat for 30 minutes over medium low heat.
DRIED ORANGE PEEL
Using a good, sharp vegetable peeler, get just under the surface of the peel and cut away strips from top to bottom. Be sure not to dig into the peel too deeply, you want to leave all of the white pith on the orange because it won’t dry properly and it has a bitter flavour.
Stack a few strips together at a time and slice them crosswise into thin (about 1/8-inch) pieces.
Spread the orange peel in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake in a 100°C oven until they curl and harden slightly – 25 to 30 minutes.
Remove from the oven and let them cool completely. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 months.