Winter Warm Ups

Back several years ago I had a friend share with me some delicious recipes for hot fruit beverages that are great on these cold winter days. I usually make at least one of them and take to my moms' and mother-in-laws' on Christmas day and they are hits.
So I hope that you will try them and pour yourself a large mug full and bundle up on the couch and enjoy!

Savor The Moment,
Rhonda

Apple Cranberry
1+ quart cranberry juice (to taste)
1 can frozen orange juice
2-4 whole cinnamon sticks
8 whole cloves
48 ounces apple juice

Blend all ingredients together in a large pot and allow to slowly simmer. The taste is tangy so if you would like add a little extra apple juice to sweeten. This can also be made with sugar free juices if your diet requires.


Cherry
46 ounces of cherry juice blend
2 tablespoons sugar
Juice and peel of one lemon (I like to make long strips of the peel so it stays together better)
1/2 teaspoon whole cloves (or less if you're not a big fan of cloves)
1 whole cinnamon stick
1 lemon thinly sliced for garnish (optional)

Combine ingredients in a large pot and bring to a boil. Immediately reduce heat and allow to slowly simmer and to stay hot.

A Winter Favorite

The first time we were stationed in California I made friends with a girl from the midwest and she shared with me her favorite banana bread recipe. That was 26 years ago :0 and we still use that recipe because it's the best we've tried. I thought I would share the recipe because it's great for a breakfast bread or just to snack on. I hope those that try it enjoy it as much as we do.


Banana Bread

Ingredients:
3 large very ripe bananas, mash into a pulp
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup butter, melted (be sure to use butter, the taste is so much better)
1 egg, beaten
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
Pinch of salt (like an 1/8th of a teaspoon)
1 cup nuts (we like walnuts for this)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease sides and bottom of bread pan.
Mix all ingredients but flour and nuts together well. Slowly mix in flour with mixer until well blended. Stir in nuts. Pour into greased pan and bake at 350 for 50-60 minutes depending on oven. Enjoy!