Pepper poached pears simmer in white wine with black peppercorns, ginger, cinnamon and a whisper of chili heat, then chill in a syrup reduced from the poaching liquid. An elegant, lightly spiced dessert.
Spiced stewed pumpkin cubes cooked in a vinegar broth with cinnamon, ginger, and cloves. A low-calorie side dish served warm or cold, with no added sugar.
Old-fashioned pickled prunes simmered in a sweet vinegar brine with cinnamon, whole cloves, and allspice. A tangy-sweet condiment perfect alongside roasted meats or on a cheese board.
Spicy brown rice simmered with whole cardamom, cinnamon stick, turmeric, bay leaf, and black peppercorns. A fragrant, golden side dish with six simple ingredients.
Chilled cherry soup with white wine, sour cream, cinnamon, and optional brandy. A silky, sweet-tart Hungarian-style cold soup made from fresh cherries.
Golden apricot nog made from simmered dried apricots blended with skim milk, vanilla, nutmeg, and stiff meringue, spiked with rum or brandy. A fruity, lighter twist on traditional holiday eggnog.
Cinnamon-scented couscous with plump raisins and butter. A five-ingredient North African-inspired side dish that's ready in 10 minutes with no active cooking.
Pears poached in red Burgundy wine with cinnamon and lemon zest. An elegant French dessert with just 5 ingredients, served warm or cold in ruby-red syrup.
Whole apples poached in red wine with cinnamon and honey until jewel-toned ruby. A five-ingredient French bistro dessert that looks stunning and requires only a saucepan.
A Scandinavian-style chilled fruit soup with dried apricots, prunes, raisins, apples, and cherries simmered in sauterne wine with cinnamon, cloves, and cardamom. Thickened with tapioca.
Uru mus roast is a Sri Lankan spiced pork dish marinated in vinegar with cardamom, cloves, and curry powder, then braised until tender and finished with fried onions and curry leaves.
Warm cranberry apple cider simmered in the crock pot with cinnamon sticks and a clove-studded orange. The holiday party drink that fills the whole house with spice.
Warm cranberry apple cider simmered in the crock pot with cinnamon sticks and a clove-studded orange. The holiday party drink that fills the whole house with spice.
A silky baked custard infused with orange zest, cinnamon, and cloves, set over golden homemade caramel with slivers of candied orange peel. Low-fat, elegant, and worth the overnight chill.
Oranged cranberry sauce made with fresh cranberries, orange juice, orange zest, brown sugar, and cinnamon sticks. Boiled until thick and jammy, this keeps indefinitely in the fridge.
Murgh Musallam, a fragrant North Indian chicken curry simmered with whole spices (cinnamon, cardamom, star anise, cloves) and finished with yogurt for a rich, silky gravy. Authentic Mughlai flavor in under 40 minutes.