Christmas Mulled Wine

Mulled wine is a popular drink in the United Kingdom during the Christmas period and is a main feature at the many christmas markets that are held in most cities. It's perfect for a cold winters night after a long week at work, when you want to just sit down and relax in front of an open fire and watch Christmas movies. 

There is multiple different recipes out there for Mulled Wine but all have the same theme; wine simmered with spices and sweetener. Whatever version you choose, the fragrance of spiced wine gently bubbling makes for a warm welcome. Here are two recipes to choose from during this festive season. Why not try both? 

1. Mulled Wine with Ginger and Elderflower

Ingredients: 

6 whole cloves

Zest from 1 large lemon, removed in strips with vegetable peeler

½ cup honey, or more, to taste

1 1¼-inch piece fresh ginger (no need to peel), cut into 4 pieces, all smashed 

½ vanilla bean/ pods

2 750-milliliter bottles medium-bodied dry or off-dry white wine

1 cup elderflower liqueur

Stick the cloves into 2 or 3 strips of the lemon zest. In a medium saucepan, over medium heat, bring ½ cup water and the honey to a simmer, stirring to dissolve. Add the ginger, vanilla, and  about two-thirds of the  lemon zest strips (including the clove-studded pieces) and simmer, partially covered and stirring occasionally, until fragrant and thickened slightly, about 5 minutes. Add the wine, cover partially and simmer until the wine is infused, at least 1 hour (do not allow to boil). Add the elderflower liqueur, stir to mix, and continue to simmer for about 5 minutes longer. Taste and adjust the seasoning with a little more honey if necessary. With a slotted spoon, remove and discard the ginger, vanilla bean pod, cloves, and lemon zest.

Meanwhile, heat small mugs or heatproof glasses with hot water. Cut the remaining lemon zest strips in half lengthwise to make as many pieces as people you’re serving. Empty the mugs or glasses, add the mulled wine, garnish with zest, serve and enjoy!!

2. Original Mulled Wine Recipe

Ingredients:

2 medium lemons

2 medium oranges

10 whole cloves

5 cardamom pods 

1 1/4 cups granulated sugar

1 1/4 cups water

2 (3-inch) cinnamon sticks

2 (750-milliliter) bottles dry red wine

1/2 cup brandy

Cheesecloth

Butcher’s twine

Using a vegetable peeler, remove the zest from the lemons and oranges in wide strips; place the zest in a large saucepan. Juice the lemons and oranges and add the juice to the pan. Place the cloves and cardamom in a small piece of cheesecloth, tie it tightly with butcher’s twine, and add the bundle to the saucepan.

Add the sugar, water, and cinnamon sticks, place the pan over high heat, and bring to a simmer, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Reduce the heat to low and continue to simmer, stirring occasionally, until the mixture is reduced by about one-third (about 20 minutes.)

Add the red wine and brandy, stir to combine, and bring just to a simmer but don't let it boil!! Remove from the heat and remove and discard the spice bundle before serving. Pour into warm mugs or glasses and enjoy the festive flavors 

The Boston Common Frog Pond

Winter is here and you know what that means, The Boston Common Frog Pond is open! The Frog Pond is located in one of America's oldest parks in downtown Boston. This area of Boston is a great place to go spend an afternoon with your friends or family any time of the year, from free yoga in the summer to ice skating in the winter, it offers a host of activities for anyone to join in on!

The frog pond is a great place for local the Bostonian to participate in an activity that they would otherwise not be able to participate in since we live in a massive urban city. It's a whole lot of fun for the family or even a bunch of friends! The best part is, they offer a college night event! Every Tuesday evening from 6PM-9PM all college students, with a valid ID, can skate for half price!

In between skating you can drop by the frog pond cafe to feast on a bunch of New England inspired snacks and beverages.

See you there!

Event Information Below:

Winter Hours

Mon 10:00AM-3:45PM
Tue-Thu 10:00AM-9:00PM
Fri-Sat 10:00AM-10:00PM
Sun 10:00AM-9:00PM

Ticket sales end 30 minutes before closing.
Holiday Schedule

Christmas Eve: 10:00AM-5:00PM
Christmas Day: Closed
New Years Eve: 10:00AM-4:00PM
New Years Day: 10:00AM-10:00PM
Admission

Admission price based on skater’s height
58-inches and over: $6.00
Under 58-inches: free
Rentals & Services

Skates
Adult men/women: $12.00
Kids: $6.00
Sizes: 8T all the way up to a men’s 15
MA sales tax included on skate rentals

Lockers
$3.00

Skate Sharpening
$10.00 per pair

Bobby the Skating Seal
$10.oo/hour
Skating aids for children who are learning to skate.

Get in the Spirit of the Holidays with Boston Pops

Boston Symphony Hall orchestra performs this holiday traditional show for years. This year in particular, Boston Pops and conductor Keith Lockhart, celebrating his 20th anniversary with the orchestra, in a performance filled with holiday music favorites,  and the traditional Pops sing-a-long holiday songs that is sure to warm up anyone's heart  into the spirit of the holidays. 

Special  kids' matinee performances include post-concert photos with Santa and special treats. 

I also would like to add a short video to give you an idea of what to expect from this performance. 

Boston Pop Video 

For tickets and information please visit: 

Boston Symphony Orchestra

Comfort food - Homemade Gnocchi

Comfort Food – Homemade Gnocchi

The Holidays for me are about more than lights and family and giving. Don’t get me wrong - those are all very important aspects of the season, but I have two very important words for you: Bulking Season. So, today I’m coming at you with a recipe that really defines comfort food. This savory and delicious meal is great for the whole family and extremely versatile, not to mention super fun to make. So let’s dive in to this awesome Potato Gnocchi recipe, from the NE Seasonal kitchen to yours.

Ingredients:

Dough-

3 Large Idaho Potatoes

2 Egg Yolks

1 Cup of Flour

1 Tablespoon Freshly Grated Parmesan Cheese

1 Pinch of Sea Salt

Sauce-

1 Tablespoon Flour

4 Tablespoons Butter

3 Sprigs of Thyme

2 Cloves of Garlic (minced)

Pinch of Sea Salt

Freshly Ground Pepper

To begin, drizzle the whole potatoes with olive oil and a pinch of sea salt, then wrap them in foil and bake for an hour at 400°F. Once they’re finished, make sure they are fork tender and let them cool for about 10 minutes (they should be warm not cold). On a clean surface, run the potatoes through a potato ricer. If you don’t have one (and I didn’t) you can use a wire colander and push the potatoes through it. They need to have a uniform fine texture, so don’t just use a fork to mash them up. This process keeps them nice and fluffy and light. After you have the potatoes all riced, make a well in the middle and drop your two egg yolks into it. Break up the yolks on their own then slowly incorporate them into the potatoes. Slowly add your flour and create a dough. Add flour to the surface to allow it movement. Add a pinch of sea salt and your grated parmesan, then mix the dough by hand until fully incorporated. Make sure you only handle the dough until it is mixed, and try not to handle it too much for it can make them tough. Once it is combined, cut the dough into 6 small equal sized pieces and roll them into similar ½ inch dowel shapes. Line them up and cut into small pillows, then run them along the back side of a fork to give them a little grove (the grove is important to help the gnocchi hold the sauce).

Once you have your gnocchi made, drop them into salted boiling water in batches. Have a hot saucepan ready with your butter nobs sizzling and transfer the gnocchi over once they float in the boiling water. Add the flour, thyme, minced garlic, a tablespoon or so of the boiling gnocchi water, and the salt and pepper. Sautee until lightly browned and crispy on the outside. Serve hot with freshly grated parmesan on top and a drizzle of olive oil.

I hope you enjoy this delicious and hearty gnocchi recipe! Make sure to share your creations with us using the hashtag #NEGnocchi, can’t wait to see what you all come up with! Happy bulking!

Lookout Farm Hard Cider- Cidery Tours

If you're in Boston this season, and have access to a vehicle, be sure not to miss the Lookout Farm Hard Cider tours! The Lookout Farm has tours every Saturday and Sunday at 2PM, though they ask you to check in 10 minutes prior. This could be a great activity for any Boston college student (21+ though!) or a couple looking to go out and get their drink on. Cider is a great alternative for those that have celiac's disease and can't go out drinking regular beers with their buddies and this is a great opportunity to try a bunch of a new drinks... did we mention it was free!? What are you doing, stop reading this blog and head on over!

"Harvest Time"

"Apple Varieties"

"Fermentation Time"

"Bottling"

"Established in ’51… That’s 1651. Belkin Family Lookout Farm is one of the oldest continuously operating farms in the United States. Our family is proud to carry on the New England tradition of family farming and we are excited to share the fruits of our labor (literally!) with you.

For us, “local” is a way of life, and has been for more than 360 years. Our fruit orchards are located in South Natick, Mass, where each individual tree is meticulously pruned by hand in order to ensure that we harvest the best crop possible. Never from concentrate, we work year-round to craft our hard ciders with fruit grown under our care. Here at Lookout Farm, we are committed to preserving the land as a sustainable, viable farm and what better way to do this than to share our authentic hard cider with our neighbors!

Lookout Farm Hard Cider is a true craft cidery, using our expertise in modern fermentation and traditional aging techniques to produce a uniquely refreshing hard cider. We carefully select the most flavorful apple blends and add the finest ingredients, like our own raw honey, to create a cider that is both exceptional and true to our heritage."

Flavors produced by the farm:

• Farmhouse Blend
• Green with Envy
• Hop Up
• Barn Burner
• Barn Warmer
• Fireside
• Super Berry
• Chai Now
• Pumpkin Patch
• Bloody Good Time

Check out the source link for more info about the tour!

Source

All images thanks to lookoutfarmcider.com

New England Aquarium

The New England Aquarium in Boston is the perfect place to go for a family day out no matter what time of year it is. With endless attractions to do and see, you will not be disappointed and won't have to worry about wondering what else to plan into your day. 

The Exhibits include; 

The Giant Ocean Tank; 

 - The four story tank it home to hundreds of different sea animals including Sea turtles, Stingrays, Eels and a huge variety of Caribbean fish and reef animals.  

Sea Turtle Hospital; 

- The Aquarium is the global leader in saving the endangered Turtles. It allows visitors to interact with replica Sea Turtles and learn what it takes to save the endangered species. You can listen to the heartbeat of a cold-stunned Sea Turtle which was just rescued from a beach in Cape Cod.  

Yawkey Coral Reef Center; 

- At the top of the Giant Ocean Tank, a glass railing maximizes everyone’s view of many of the predators swimming high in the water column. Visitors can now easily recognize creatures resting on the tank’s bottom more than 24 feet below. 

The Trust Family Foundation Shark and Ray Touch Tank;  

- The Trust Family Foundation Shark and Ray Touch Tank features sharks and rays in a mangrove-themed tank surrounded by shallow edges and viewing windows, allowing visitors to experience a close encounter with these animals. Visitors reach out and gently stroke cownose rays, Atlantic rays and epaulette sharks as they swim gracefully through the crystal clear water.

Edge of the sea; 

- Pet a star fish, meet a lobster, cradle a hermit crab in the palm of your hand. 

Blue Planet Action Center; 

- The exhibit highlights three aspects of Aquarium expertise: the impacts of climate change and ocean acidification on corals, threats facing the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale and efforts to protect seafood resources through sustainable fishing practices.

New Balance Foundation Marine Mammal Center; 

- Here you can watch California sea lions dart through the water and limber Northern fur seals lope in this beautiful open air exhibit space. 

Pacific Reef Community; 

- Take a look into the tropical waters of  a Pacific Coral Reef and gain an insight into what one would usually look like. You can also get a close look at many of the rainbow-colored fish that live in that habitat.  

 

Seadragons; 

- There are only two species of seadragon in the world, and this stunning exhibit displays both of them. The leafy seadragon and the weedy seadragon both use their exceptional camouflage to hide from hungry predators.

Penguins;  (Personally my favorite part of the Aquarium)

- The Aquarium is home to more than 80 penguins who live in a bustling colony found on Level 1 surrounding the Giant Ocean Tank.

Atlantic Harbor Seals;  

- The harbor seals exhibit is the only exhibit you can actually visit before you buy your Aquarium ticket. Watch the seals swim, play and sleep, and learn more about them during a free training session.

Amazon Rainforest;  

- Take an expedition to the Amazon rainforest without having to jet off in a plane away form Boston. The New England Aquarium’s six Amazon exhibits allow you to dive into the Amazon River and climb through the dense forest without getting wet or needing bug spray and being able to stay a safe comfortable distance away from what could be some of your biggest fears.

Gulf of Marine; 

- The Gulf of Maine stretches from Cape Cod to Canada and includes Boston Harbor and Stellwagen Bank. The water is cold but bursting with life. As you explore exhibits ranging from shore to deep-water boulder reefs and sandy seafloors, you will meet lobsters, cod, goosefish and giant star fish.

 The Aquarium offers a range of different entry prices;

Discounts are also available to groups of 10+, Students with a valid student card and teachers. Visitors who are using a wheel chair and people who are visually impaired are welcomed into the Aquarium free of charge. 

Aquarium members also gain free entry, discounts at the IMAX and Whale watch tickets. 

Location;

1 Central Wharf
Boston,
MA 02110

Very short walk from the Blue line Aquarium T Station

Boston Common Tree Lighting Ceremony & Skating Spectacular

If you've got some time to kill tomorrow evening (Thursday December 3rd) be sure to head to the Boston Commons to experience the tree lighting ceremony! Mayor Martin J. Walsh and the Honourable Stephen McNeil, Premier of Nova Scotia, will host Boston’s 74th Annual Official Tree Lighting on Boston Common on Thursday, December 3, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.



The trees will be lit up throughout the park until 8PM, the show will then close with a pyrotechnic display! The holiday decorations throughout Boston Common and the Public Garden include the City of Boston’s official Christmas tree, a 49-foot spruce donated by Andrea and William MacEachern of Lorne in Pictou County, Nova Scotia.

Bring your significant other or friends and join the city of Boston in this annual festival! Be sure to bring plenty of warm clothing though as it is starting to become quite chilly in the evening. 

Event Info Below:

Official Website:	Boston Common Tree Lighting Ceremony & Skating Spectacular
Location:	Boston Common, Boston, MA
Phone:	(617) 635-4505
Dates:	Thursday, December 3, 2015
Hours:	Hours Vary see below
Ages:	Kids, Teens, Adults
In/Outdoor:	Outdoor
Cost:	Free

Christmas Gift Guide 2015

Great news party people! Christmas is next month. If you're like me, you probably had a mini panic attack after reading that, trust me my heart is beating out of my chest just typing it.

If you celebrate Christmas, theres a pretty good chance that you experience some kind of anxiety about shopping in the upcoming months. Between the Christmas music playing perhaps a bit before you'd like it to, the masses of people in most shopping centers, and the lines that make you want to pull your hair out, no wonder there is a shift in shopping patterns from physically going to stores to ordering online.

More good news - were here to help. I'm coming in hot today with tips, gift ideas, and wish list items. Hold on to your hats, this is gonna be a big one - so grab that Caramel Bruleé latte and take a seat.


Gift Buying Tips

We all want to save some money on the bomb gifts we're going to give our parents, significant others, siblings, and kids. If there is one thing to take away from this post its this: don't buy in to Black Friday. Unless its a tradition or something you're dead set on (more power to you), I'm telling you - skip it. Take the extra night off after Thanksgiving to spend time with your family. It's all about Cyber Monday. Make a list and a shopping cart over the weekend, and on Monday go ahead an take advantage of all of those deals and online coupons. It will save you so much stress and time waiting in crazy lines!

When it comes to gift buying in general, its all about organization. Personally, I have a lot of people to buy for every year, and I want to make sure that I don't skip anyone, so I make lists. First, I just make a list of all the people I have to buy for on my Notes app on my phone. Then, as I buy gifts for them, I type the gift next to their name so I always have a running list of things I have purchased. This helps me know who to buy for, as well as make sure I am spending similar amounts on each person.

If you have a big extended family like I do, it may be beneficial to think about non-traditional ways of Christmas gift giving. We used to put all of our names in a hat and pick two names, so we all made a big game out of buying for someone and they would guess who the giver was once they opened it. Such a fun way to give! This year we're trying something different, and making an even bigger game out of it. Each person buys a gift for themselves, brings it in, and we put them all in a pile along with a $5 scratch ticket. Then, we all go in to the pile and pick a gift (not our own) and open it, then guess who bought it for themselves. At the end, whoever gets the most right gets to take home the scratch tickets, and we all take the gift we bought ourselves. This way, our Christmas isn't as burdensome and we still get to spend a lot of time with our family, having fun, eating, sharing stories, and just being around each other - what the holidays are all about.

Gift Ideas
For Her:
Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee
Freshwater Pearl Earings
Non-traditional Scarf
Nice pair of Flats
Or a fancier pair
New perfume
Makeup face kit, eye kit, or cute sampler 
A movie night package (with one of her favorite classic movies, and 2 new ones she has mentioned wanting to see, a bottle of wine, popcorn, and some kind of chocolate)

 For Him:
New Watch
Shaving Kit
Nice Down Jacket
The Ultimate Boxers
Bluetooth Earbuds
Wool Peacoat
Chukka Boots

So happy shopping! Don't let the elves hear you whine about the lines!