A Recipe from Rachel

Here is what I'm hoping to make today... Cider Beetles

what you'll need:

6 oranges

2 1/4 cups firmly packed brown sugar

12 1 & 1/2 inch cinnamon sticks

12 small whole nutmegs

24 large whole allspice

96 whole cloves

1. Slice oranges in half and scoop out pulp without breaking the orange rind. Reserve pulp for another use.

2. Place orange halves cut side up (like a bowl) on a wire rack on a baking sheet. Bake at 250F for 2 hours until dry and hard. Let Cool. (hint: put a wad of foil about the size of the orange in the bowl to help it keep its shape)

3. Pack brown sugar firmly into each orange half mounding slightly

4. Arrange spices in the brown sugar to resemble beetles: use a cinnamon stick as the body, a nutmeg as the head, 2 allspice for the eyes and 6-8 cloves for the legs/feet.

5. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and store in the refridgerator.

Directions for use: Unwrap the beetle and drop into 1 and 1/2 quarts sugar free apple juice or cider. Simmer 30 minutes. Strain whole spices and orange rind from cider to serve. If you're Lutheran or United Methodist and not on church property, you can add 1/2 cup of brandy ha!