It's beginning to look alot like Christmas!

As you can imagine Libby and I have been very busy recently getting the cottages ready for the arrival of the guests who will be spending Christmas and New Year with us.  The cottages are certainly looking festive with their decorated trees and twinkling fairy lights.  Libby and our second daughter, Katherine collected fir, holly and ivy from the woods and along with some bay from the farmhouse garden made table arrangements for each cottage.  Peter has ensured the woodbaskets are full and the fires are laid, each just waiting for a match.

To ensure our guests festivities start with a swing I have made the mince pies and Libby has made the Wassail Cup, a kind of mulled cider (apparently mulled wine is SO last year!) which is delicious.  I have asked Libby for the recipe to share with you so you can each have a taste of Christmas at Poltarrow...

6 teaspoons of brown sugar

6 eating apples, cored

100ml of water

2 litres of cider

1 orange studded with cloves

1 inch of cinnamon stick

6 allspice berries

1 wine glass of cooking brandy

1 wine glass of sherry

Heat the oven to 170c. Place the apples on a baking tray, put a teaspoon of sugar in the hole left by the core of each and pour the water into the tray.  Cook for 20 minutes or so, until the apples are soft but not fallen.

Meanwhile, place the cider, cloved orange, cinnamon stick and allspice in a large pan.

Bring to a simmer and allow to bubble gently for 20 minutes.

Taste to check the spices have infused to your taste. If not, leave to simmer a little longer. Add the apples along with their cooking juice, the brandy, and the sherry. Simmer for another five minutes, then ladle into glasses.

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!