Recipe // Mulled Cider

Image from here

Nothing says Autumn like a warm mug of spiced cider! Something about the warm steam, the spices, the sweetness and of course, the alcohol. So enjoy this simple recipe, in some cosy mugs. Take them outside and watch the fireworks from your own garden!

Ingredients;

- 1ltr cider
- ¼ Cinnamon Stick
- 3 Cloves
- ¼ Nutmeg
- Juice of 3x Oranges
- 1 Star Anise
- 2 tbps Caster Sugar

Method;

Pour all of the ingredients into a pan (except the sugar), bring to the boil, then simmer for 3-4 minutes. After this time, taste and add the sugar little by little until you are happy with the sweetness.

What’s your favourite Autumnal drink?

Recipe // Chunky Tomato Soup

I don't know about you, but my weekends can go one of two ways. Either I am super productive, getting up early, buying fresh ingredients for meals that I have planned ahead. Or ... I spend the day in my pyjamas, and use up whatever I have in my fridge. All I seemed to have in my fridge last weekend were a ton of tomatoes, and what do you do with tomatoes ... soup! So along with a couple of fridge and cupboard foods a soup was born:

Ingredients

- 1 Cup of hot water
- 1 Vegetable stock cube
- 12 Salad Tomatoes
- 1 Punnet of Plum tomatoes
- 1 White onion
- 6 Cloves of garlic
- 2 Sweet Potatoes
- Handful of Basil leaves

Method

Put into a saucepan the hot water, stock cubes and all of the tomatoes. As these are simmering away, chop up the onion, garlic and potatoes, and throw them in along with the basil. Simmer for 20minutes and serve with some chunky buttered bread.

This recipe is so versatile that you can swap out the ingredients, maybe add in some courgettes, or carrots. If you have a little longer or want to get some more flavours then just leave the soup simmering for longer or chuck all the ingredients in a slow cooker.

What are your easy weekend recipes?