Cooking Ideas for leftover Apple Cider

Tohe popularity of Apple cider is at an all time high right now. I see it on store displays at just about every supermarket and farm stand I have visited the past few weeks. We love cider whether it is served in a chilled state or even warmed up in the microwave with a cinnamon stick. Besides drinking it in its natural state, there are many other ways to use up the tasty cider.

Mulled Cider
Mulled cider seems to go hand in hand with the holidays from Halloween through the Christmas season. Mulled cider is easy to prepare and a great way to get your kitchen and home smelling divine.

Stews
Cider can be a great accent to beef or lamb based stews. The autumn stew starts with the stew meat, vegetables, broth and water. Give your hearty stew a kick start by substituting some cider in place of some of the water. Also add some fall vegetables such as pumpkin and squash for the full autumn effect.

Pan Sauce
Apple cider makes an excellent pan sauce. Next time you are making chops or roast pork loin in the oven, save those pan drippings at the bottom and deglaze over the stove top with a little Worcestershire sauce and some apple cider. Apple flavor and pork seem to be a great marriage.

Apple Cider Donuts
Ok, if anyone can produce a great apple cider donut from their home kitchen, please feel free to share. I have tried this and even sampled offerings from friends that do not quite measure up to the apple cider donut produced by the local orchard bakeries. I highly doubt these bakeries will gladly part with their secrets to a quality apple cider donut.

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