Twelfth Night Wassail

I went to Harold's Park Farm and walked through the wood and the Christmas tree plantation. It was so muddy at one point that I got my wellie stuck. I must go back when the weather is better. I got lovely shots of two horses kissing repeatedly but I Blipped a horse yesterday. I also shot a poor rabbit that I nearly tripped over, it was suffering from Myxomatosis. :(

I undressed my tree and while I was reading up on Twelfth Night traditions saw lots of wassail recipes. This is the recipe I made up.

Take a Cox's apple and remove the core, leaving it whole . Score around the skin at the widest part. Sprinkle a spoonful of brown sugar over it and bake in the oven for at least half an hour. While it is cooking heat some white wine and brandy gently with a slice of lemon, a cinnamon stick, a blade of mace, some sliced cranberries, some allspice berries and a couple of cloves and cardamom pods.

Take the apple out of the oven and place in a large goblet together with the syrup that has formed. Pour the warm wine infusion over it. We loved it. The hot apple keeps the drink piping hot. We are going to eat the apples with cream for pudding. We didn't take the drink outside and sing to the apple tree. :)