CHEESECLOTH BAGS RECIPES

Steps:

• Gather a medium-sized bowl, a gallon-sized plastic bag with a zip top, a pair of scissors and a spice jar with a shaker-type top.
• Measure out 2 tablespoons of Kosher salt and pour into the bowl.
• Add 2 teaspoons of brown sugar. Standard white sugar can also be used.
• Measure ¼ teaspoon of garlic powder, garlic salt, onion powder, and turmeric. Add all seasonings to the bowl.
• Add ½ teaspoon of paprika and chili powder to the bowl.
• Measure out 1 teaspoon of black pepper and add to the other spices in the bowl. Fresh ground, medium-sized pepper is best for this mix.
• Stir mixture gently to incorporate all ingredients.
• Pour seasonings into a gallon-sized plastic bag, then seal. Shake the seasonings together in the bag until the seasonings appear to be evenly blended.
• Cut an edge off of one of the bottom edges of the plastic bags at a diagonal. The cut should be small enough for the tip of the bag to easily fit into the empty spice jar.
• Empty spices from the bag into spice container.

Steps:

• Put the cardamom pods on a cutting board. Lay the flat of a chef’s knife over them and gently smack the flat of the knife to lightly crush and crack the pods. Add the cardamom pods, peppercorns, cinnamon sticks and allspice berries to a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Toast the spices, shaking the pan often, until very fragrant, about 3 minutes.
• Transfer the cinnamon sticks into a 6- to 8-quart slow cooker. Tie up the remaining spices into a cheesecloth bundle, and add that to the slow cooker as well. (If you don’t have cheesecloth, you can use tea infusers or loose tea bags. You could also put the spices directly into the slow cooker, then strain the mixture as you serve.)
• Cut the piece of peeled ginger in half lengthwise and smash each piece by laying the flat of the knife over it and smacking with the heel of your hand. (At this point, put the slow cooker in the spot where you’d like to serve it, because it will become difficult to move once you’ve added all of the liquid.) Add the ginger, lemon, orange, salt and apple cider to the slow cooker. Cover, and cook on high for 3 hours.
• Reduce the heat to warm. Add the rye whiskey and vanilla and stir to combine. You can leave the cider on warm for several hours, allowing guests to serve themselves, adding additional citrus slices and cinnamon sticks to their mugs, as desired.