Issues → December 2006 → Food →
Yankee Kitchen
Wassail and Rice
by Annie B. Copps
What is wassail?
What is wassail? Is it a holiday beer of some sort? M.F., Jamestown, RI
Good instinct, but no. I'll begin with a wæs thu hæl to you and yours. Meaning "be thou hale [well]," this Old English greeting with roots in ancient Norse traditions has morphed into both another word for Christmas caroling and, for our purposes, a generic name for a hot mulled drink (appropriately well suited to serve to frostbitten carolers on a cold holiday night). Warm alcoholic beverages are not my cup of tea, as it were, but this easy (and potent) recipe will serve you and your guests well.
Wassail
Beverages Recipes
Yield: about 1-1/2 gallons
- 1 gallon apple cider
- 2 cups orange juice
- 8 sticks cinnamon
- 10 to 12 whole cloves
- 2 to 3 whole star anise pods
- 1 tablespoon allspice berries
- 1 lemon, quartered
- 2 oranges, sliced
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 gallon white wine
- 2 cups rum
In a large stockpot over low heat, combine cider, juice, spices, fruit, and sugar and simmer 1-1/2 to 2 hours. Remove from heat. Strain and discard solids and return liquid to pot. Add wine and rum and return to heat to warm through. Ladle into mugs and serve immediately.
Reviews by Readers
Very warming but a little goes a long way with the rum added. The lighter is better if kids are about though. – Anonymous Review
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Tender, Fluffy Rice
I love to make rice but never seem to get it just right -- tender, but still fluffy. Any suggestions? A.H., Jamaica Plain, MA
I hear you. I struggled with making rice for years, but a friend taught me this method for making white rice and -- good news -- it works. Use long-grain white rice, not converted or instant.
Basic Steamed Rice
Cornmeal, Rice, Grains Recipes
Yield: about 4 cups
- 2 cups long-grain rice
- 4 cups water
In a medium saucepan over high heat, bring water and rice to a boil, uncovered. As soon as water boils, stir rice well and lower heat to simmer. Cover with a tight lid wrapped in a clean kitchen towel (the towel will absorb extra moisture). Simmer 10 to 12 minutes, or until moisture has evaporated. Remove pan from heat and let sit, covered, at least 5 minutes or until ready to serve. Just before serving, remove lid and fluff rice with a fork.
This same method works for jasmine or basmati rice, but be sure to rinse these grains in a colander until the liquid runs clear before using. This will remove excess starch.
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