The BER Months are to RememBER.

I have been seeing many references to the “BER months are here!” which means the last four months of the year: September, October, November and December.  Why do these months have the same ending?  In ancient Rome, the calendar had only ten months, all named after various gods or emperors.  The ninth month had two months jammed into it, September and October.  The tenth month was unnamed, but contained November and December.  Seems like those four months were an afterthought, and not very important, doesn’t it?  Their names were simplified by using the adjectival suffix “ber”, while the prefix indicted the number of the month.  March was the first month of the ancient calendar, and September, October, November, and December were months 7 (from septem, Latin for seven), 8 (octo, Latin for eight), 9 (novem, Latin for nine), and 10 (decem, Latin for ten).  Thanks goes to Julius Caesar for creating the Julian calendar, and allowing those last four months a free reign of their own.

In more modern times, the “ber” took on a weather related meaning.  When spring and summer have been hot and humid almost the entire six months, the start of the “Ber” months signals the start of cooler weather.  Agriculturally related, it signals the time for final harvesting of fruits and vegetables; or time to plant and harvest the winter wheat.

I believe it has a more profane meaning though.  Spring brought blooming trees and flowers, and a time for animals to bear their young.  Summer, even if hot, was fun in the sun, barbeques, and vacations.  Now, with the start of the “ber” months, it is time to begin to RememBER.  It is now time to begin to look back at the year, as its end will be here soon enough.  It is time to begin reflecting on what we experienced, accomplished, created and shared.  2020 was hard on us all, and remembering it did not bring the best memories to mind.  2021 has also been a hard year on us all, but, at times, eased up and gave us time to relax and breathe.

So, as we begin to crave apple cider, pumpkin spice and the last taste of fresh-from-the-garden vegetables, remember!  Remember your dearest friends and family members.  Remember the good times, and how the bad times were overcome with hard work and endurance.  Remember your neighbors!  Did they share with you their garden’s bounty, but you forgot to share yours with those who needed?  There is still time to make amends, still time to pay-it-forward.  Come December, wishes will be made upon gifting lists.  Remember though, whether it is God, another Deity worshipped, even Santa Claus himself; they are all making their own lists of who has been greedy, and who have been giving.

Now, as much as I love a cold glass of crisp and spicy apple cider, attempting to make it from scratch has not been on my to-do list.  I admit it, I was spoiled by being able to buy it at a farmers market; or even the fruit section of a supermarket.  On a cold night though, heating it up, adding a dash of rum or brandy, and a cinnamon stick to act as a stirrer, is a lovely option.

Who knows though, if the price on apples gets back to being reasonable, I just might take on the challenge!

Until then, let me share with you a recipe from another food blogger, Sally’s Baking Addiction.  Her recipe allows for apple cider to be created in either a crock pot, or a stock pot; and she gives directions for storage as well.  Oh, and let’s RememBER to share, and be grateful to those who shared with you.

 

Homemade Apple Cider

(From Sally’s Baking Addiction: https://sallysbakingaddiction.com/homemade-apple-cider/)

 

Ingredients:

1 orange

10 medium apples (use a variety– I use Honeycrisp and Granny Smith)

3 cinnamon sticks (or 1 Tablespoon ground cinnamon)

2 teaspoons ground cloves

granulated sugar*

 

Instructions:

1 - Peel the orange and place the segments in a 4 quart or larger slow cooker. (Pictures show unpeeled- we prefer peeling it for a less bitter flavor.) Wash the apples, cut into quarters, and place in the slow cooker. Add the cinnamon sticks, ground cloves, and sugar. Add enough water to cover the fruit.

2 - Cook on low heat for 6-7 hours. (Or high heat for 3.)

3 - After 6-7 hours, the fruit will be very soft. Use a large spoon to mash the fruit and release its liquids. Allow the cider to cook on low for 1 more hour.

4 - Very slowly strain the chunky liquid though a fine mesh sieve into a large pot or pitcher. You can discard the solids. Strain the cider one more time to rid any other solids. Serve the cider warm.

Leftover cider keeps well in the refrigerator for up to 5-7 days. Warm up on the stove before serving or enjoy it cold.  Yields about 1 and ½ quarts.

Notes

Freezing Instructions: Cider can be frozen up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator.

*Sugar: Adjust the sugar to your taste. We usually use 3-4 Tablespoons of granulated sugar for a spicier cider. If you prefer your apple cider on the sweeter side (like the kind you buy at the store), use 1/2 cup (100g) of granulated sugar.

No Slow Cooker? No Problem! In step 1, place all of the ingredients into a large stock pot instead of a slow cooker. Turn the stove up to high heat and bring everything to a simmer while stirring occasionally. Once simmering, reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 2 hours. Mash the fruit as described in step 3. Then, allow the cider to cook for 1 more hour. Continue with step 4.

Special Tools: Slow Cooker (4-quart or larger) & Fine Mesh Sieve

…and once you have made that cider, go back to the November 17, 2020 issue of the San Juan Record, and look up my recipe for Apple Cider Donuts.  The smile on your face will just get bigger as you indulge in those.  Or click on Here to go directly to the recipe, on this food blog.

Mary Cokenour

Time to Make the Donuts.

Dear Diary, This is month ten of Jumanji.  Just as the Covid monster seemed to be going into hiding, it suddenly reared its massive head.  It tricked us, just as we were beginning to have fun, and life was going back to normal, once again.  What the worst of it is, having the children home, and they are missing out on all the fun.  What will November bring?  Signed, Feeling Doomed.

Dear Feeling Doomed, stop complaining!  You and your family have each other.  That’s more than many others, in this overpopulated world, have.  Would you rather the outbreak of much deadlier diseases, so you can lose each other?  Your children are home, and not having fun; well why is that?  This is the time that family should come together, not just to “make time”, but now having the time to do fun things…together!  Signed, Diary.

Wow, even someone’s diary is getting tired of all the “whoa-is-me” going round.  Yes, it has been ten months of Covid-19 turning our lives upside down.  It has also been ten months of political, civil, and social unrest as well.  However, this is where choice comes into play; the choice of “Will I allow it to deflate and destroy me?”, or “Will I stand tall, grab that negativity bull by its fiery horns, and ride it down into the ground?”

One of my favorite televised series is Good Witch, a Hallmark original that is about to air its seventh season.  Previously, there were yearly movies about main character, Cassie Nightingale, a descendant of the Merriwick clan.  This is what many would call, a “clean, goody two shoes” show, as there is no blood, gore, foul language, or really nasty stuff that would make one cover the eyes and ears at the same time.  This is, however, one of those shows that tugs at heart strings, makes one feel all lovey and comforting inside, and teaches many, many lessons.

Cassie Nightingale has traveled the world, and believes in, and practices, holistic “medicine”.  Natural remedies using plants, essential oils, crystals; what is usually referred to as “New Age”.   While these practices stem from ancient cultures such as Greece, Egypt, India, Japan and China; well it goes to show, “everything old is new again”.

The main focus, in my opinion, is that this show teaches good life lessons, and that any adversity can be overcome.  Just what we all need to keep focusing on, not just for 2020, but for life in general.  So, as we go into month eleven of Jumanji, focus more on overcoming the negative, reach for the fun, whether alone or with others, and cherish the moments.

Oh, Thanksgiving, a time to be thankful for what we had, have or will have in the future; like fun.   Think about this, how can anyone, for 10 months, be complaining, arguing, harassing, just be plain old nasty to others, and then suddenly be thankful?  If we have, then now is the time for a total turnaround in thinking and behavior.

Enough preaching, let’s practice.

My new toy for 2020 is donut pans; available in silicone (not a personal favorite), or non-stick metal (a best buy, in my opinion).  Donuts are often fried, giving a light, airy texture to them.  Baked donuts are denser which means longer time to eat, longer time to savor the flavor.  I became fascinated with apple cider donuts, and the uses of cardamom (also spelled cardamon) while watching, what else,

Good Witch.  Oh yes, I have used cardamom in recipes from India, but have not really tried it in baking.

Cardamom is from the ginger family, and can be used whole or ground.  That chai tea or latte you enjoy so much, it contains cardamom.  The flavor is savory, smoky, lemony and minty; the aroma earthy; a complex herb.  Yes, herb, but once it is ground up, it becomes referred to as a spice.  One aspect you might appreciate, for health reasons, is cardamom is an antioxidant.

With the Thanksgiving holiday coming up, and apple cider often served to drink, why not eat it too!   This recipe is as close, considering the many I have found, to the donuts seen on Good Witch – Curse from a Rose.  It takes place during the last week of October, ending with a Halloween festival.  The lesson learned is, “Take ownership for the choices you make, even if you do not voice them out to others.  If the choice goes wrong, do not blame someone, who could not know your heart’s true intention.”

Now go, bake up some donuts, and HAVE FUN!!!

 

Apple Cider Donuts

(https://www.livinginsugar.com/2018/10/apple-cider-donuts-for-your-basic-witch/)

Ingredients:

1 and 1/2 cups apple cider

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

3/4 teaspoon baking powder

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon Cardamom

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 Tablespoons unsalted butter melted

1 large egg at room temperature

1/2 cup packed light or dark brown sugar

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup milk

1 teaspoon Vanilla extract

Topping:

1 cup granulated sugar

3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground Cardamom

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

6 Tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

Directions:

Reduce the apple cider: Stirring occasionally, simmer the apple cider in a small saucepan over low heat until you're left with about 1/2 cup. Start checking at 10 minutes, 15 minutes, 20 minutes, etc. until you have 1/2 cup. Mine takes about 20 minutes. Set aside to cool for 10 minutes.

Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray donut pan with non-stick spray. Set aside.

Make the donuts: Whisk the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg and salt together in a large bowl. Set aside.

Whisk the melted butter, egg, brown sugar, granulated sugar, milk, and vanilla extract together. Pour into the dry ingredients, add the reduced apple cider, and whisk everything together until smooth and combined. Batter will be slightly thick.

Spoon the batter into the donut cavities—for ease, I highly recommend using a large pastry bag with a round tip -- a zipped-top bag with a corner cut works as well. Pipe the batter into each donut cup, filling about halfway.

Bake for 10-15 minutes or until the edges and tops are lightly browned. To test, poke your finger into the top of the donut. If the donut bounces back, they're done. Cool donuts for 2 minutes then transfer to a wire rack. Re-grease the pan and bake the remaining donut batter.

Coat the donuts: Combine the granulated sugar and spices together in a medium bowl. Once cool enough to handle, dunk both sides of each donut in the melted butter, then generously in the apple spice topping.

Donuts are best served immediately. Leftovers keep well covered tightly at room temperature for up to 2 days.

Makes 12 donuts.

Mary Cokenour