Today is the feast of St. John the Apostle.
John is considered to have been our Lords favorite Apostles. He is referred as "the "disciple whom Jesus loved." After Jesus died on the cross it is believed that Mary lived under John's care.
According to Christian legend, John was ordered by Emperor Domitian to drink a cup of poisoned wine. When John blessed the cup of wine, the poison slithered away in the form of a snake. Hence because of Johns faith he was not harmed. Because of this legend it is customary to enjoy a special wine on his feast day.
Here in Virginia it is cold and wet. A wonderful warm wine would be ideal to enjoy on St. John's Feast day. I like to serve this in a slow cooker set on low.
Saint Johns Wine
Ingredients:
1 bottle of red wine
4 clementines
1/4 cup white sugar
2 tablespoons whole cloves
2 tablespoons allspice berries
2 broken cinnamon sticks
2 star anise
Directions:
Pour the wine in the slow cooker and set the slow cooker on low.
Peel two of the clementines and set aside the peel. Add the sugar and squeeze the juice of the peeled clementines into the warming wine.
Using a cheese cloth with a string put the clementine peels, cloves, allspice, cinnamon and star anise into the cheese cloth and tie with a string. Put the cheese cloth in the wine and cook on low for 4 hours.
Take the other two clementines and cut into rings. Float the rings on the top of the wine.
Ladle into mugs and enjoy.
Peace be with you,
Veronica