Spot and Lamb’s~Wool to the Rescue

Late into the night was lovely, when I decided to put that perfect time to good use: investigating my “new” neighborhood on the little footpaths that tangle it together. (My previous post tells of me house sitting for Gemmama, my grandmother who is away visiting a dear old friend.) Even though I basically grew up at my grandmother’s side, landscapes can change over the years, and I was about to find out that they did just that.

As I gazed up at the stars, looking for one that I could wish on (I wanted to see a deer in a field, but since Gemmama’s house is located in a residential section, that wasn’t likely to happen.), I became disoriented. Sometimes in the night, everything you were just looking at suddenly becomes so unfamiliar. Had Pixies dancing under the moonlight led me astray? Just in case, I took off my jacket and put it on again, inside out, to break the spell. Still bewildered, I realized nobody but me was to blame for getting myself [gulp!] lost!

The hoot of a hidden owl kept my spirits up, until and fortunately, I spied Gemmama’s cat, Spot, who just happened to be out mousing nearby. I am certain he followed me; it’s something he would do. After he kindly led me back “home” (That is something Spot would do, too.), I rewarded him with a spare sardine that I’d nestled in a tart pan in an attempt to convince Spot I had baked just for him. But being that he is a cat smarter than most, I don’t think I had him fooled. Spot enjoyed the fish just the same.

Since I am not in favor of small, headless once-swimmers wedged in tins, I instead warmed a kettle of Lamb’s~Wool, leftover from last October, that of which Gemmama had stockpiled batches of in her deep freeze. I don’t know how she does it, but my grandmother manages to save this wonderful spiced drink without cold-burning the apples or losing the brew’s “medicinal” properties. Only took two cupfuls would take me straight to a wonderful dreamland!

Might I share the recipe with you? (Remember, do not drink and drive– be it broomsticks or otherwise!)

Lamb’s~Wool

2 pints of ale
8 Tpoons sugar
1/4 teaspoon grated nutmeg 1/4 teaspoon ginger
Pinch of cinnamon
Pinch of cloves
6 bruised cooking apples for the roasting
6 eggs

Pour the ale into a saucepan and heat gently on the stovetop until it starts to bubble. Stir in the sugar and spices and continue cooking on low heat for nearly a half an hour. Meanwhile, cut the bruised cooking apples into slices, discarding the stems and seeds. (Don't forget to make a wish each time you pull out a stem!) Place them in a heatproof dish with a bit of water and bake uncovered in the oven on low heat until they become soft. Remove the apples from the oven and place them in a large bowl, one from which you can ladle. Remove the spiced ale from the heat, and, if you desire, stir in 6 beaten eggs. Poor the mixture over the warm apples in the bowl. Serve warm.

Not only does this brew taste exceptionally good and promises a sweet dream if you drink it after midnight, but the whiteness of the roasted apples as they float in the cider is quite an enjoyable as well! Please write this on your recipe card, too: Nuts make a nice accompaniment to Lamb's~Wool.

I guess I know what I'm going to have to add to my grocery shopping list!

lamb illustration, sardine tin