True confession—the first thing I think of when I hear the words “apple cider” isn’t “hot” or “mulled.” It’s “donuts.” And living in New England as I do, I can say there is no better signal of the season than the aroma of fresh cider donuts, still hot and lusciously soft with a whispery crunch of sugar coating.
But cider donuts aren’t the beginning or end of the story of autumn apple cider. Neither is mulled hot cider, which is another classic thing of beauty. Apple cider, that crisp, sweetly spiced beverage that is best when it’s freshly pressed, can accompany your meals from breakfast to dessert, starting with these four ideas.
1) Cider-Baked Apples
Core apples and stuff the center with a mixture of cinnamon, brown sugar, toasted nuts and a pat of butter. Place apples in a pan and pour in about an inch of apple cider. Cover and bake at 375 until the apples are tender, 40-60 minutes, depending on the apples. Spoon the cider as a sauce over the cooked apples and enjoy them warm.
2) Cider-Glazed Vegetables
Simmer two cups of cider in a saucepan, stirring often, until the liquid reduces and becomes thick and syrup-like. Cool, and then drizzle over roasted vegetables for a sweet, spiced note on your fall table.
3) Autumn Cider Chicken
Chicken becomes moist and flavorful when it’s roasted in a pan with onions, carrots, chopped apple and apple cider. Roast a whole chicken cut into pieces at 375 for 60-75 minutes, depending on the size.
4) Creamy Cider Smoothie
Head to the blender with some apple cider, plain Greek yogurt or other thick yogurt, a cut-up fresh apple, a drizzle of honey, a sprinkle of cinnamon and a handful of ice. Pulse it together into a healthy smoothie that might be cold but is sure to warm you up on a fall morning.
How do you love to have apple cider?
