It’s our Blogoversary!
Celebrate with {Mulled Wine}

It’s our Blogoversary!
Celebrate with {Mulled Wine}

We’ve come a long way since my first post back on January 19th, 2011. Believe me, I never imagined I would make it this far. What started out as a hobby has blossomed into a full blown passion. I’m so thankful to all of my readers who are the reason for my continued success.

Over the past year, BIB has grown considerably, with recipes featured throughout the blogosphere as well as in Bitayavon and Binah Magazines. With bated breath, Busy in Brooklyn finished in 5th place in the Joy of Kosher “2011 Best of Kosher” competition with almost 850 votes.

It’s been a whirlwind! Here are some stats from the past year that I thought you might enjoy:

Most popular category: dessert recipes
Most popular recipe: sushi salad
Most popular craft: shell stitch crochet hat
Most popular how to: caramelize apples
Most commented: black bean brownies

I can’t wait to see what the next year has in store! In the meantime, keep reading, keep cooking, and most importantly, keep commenting! Your feedback really gives me the push I need to keep going!

Do you want to give BIB a Blogoversary present? Share our page on your facebook wall and ask friends to like us and visit our blog!

And now, to celebrate! I figured we should all make a L’chaim to toast to our one year Blogoversary. But a plain old glass of wine just wouldn’t do. Instead, we’re gonna click our glasses with a warm cup of mulled wine. Mulled wine is a spiced red wine that has been warmed with spices and citrus. It is perfect for a cold winter night in which you have cause to celebrate.

The best part about making mulled wine (also known as glogg) is that you don’t need to use an expensive bottle. You can use a combination of whatever whole spices you have on hand, or simply use a few spoons of your bisamim.

Traditionally, mulled wine includes the following:

} dry red wine or a combination of dry and sweet (port is best)
} sweetener, such as, white sugar, brown sugar, maple syrup, honey or agave
} juice and zest of citrus, such as orange and/or lemon
} additional alcohol of choice, such as vodka or brandy, (optional)
} dried fruit, raisins, and/or almonds (optional)
} a combination of whole spices, such as:

cinnamon sticks
cardamom pods
cloves
allspice berries
peppercorns
star anise
bay leaves
nutmeg
vanilla pods
ginger root

I prefer to wrap up the spices in a cheesecloth but you can also add them straight to the pot and strain before serving.

 

BIB Blogoversary Mulled Wine

1 bottle dry red wine
1/3-1/2 cup agave
juice of 1 orange
2 cinnamon sticks
6 cloves
4-5 peppercorns
1 vanilla pod, split lengthwise
a few strips of orange zest

Method:

Add spices to a piece of double-lined cheesecloth and knot closed. Add wine, spices, agave and fresh squeezed orange juice to a pot. Cook on a low flame until heated through. DO NOT BOIL as it will cause the alcohol to evaporate.

1 year ago: chicken breast with port wine cherry sauce

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29 thoughts on “It’s our Blogoversary!
Celebrate with {Mulled Wine}”

  3. Happy Blogoversary!!!
    So many amazing recipes, crafts and just everyday helpful tips!!
    You didn’t make it to the top 5 of Joy of Kosher “2011 Best of Kosher” competition for nothing!!! :)

    Looking fwd to another great year!!!
    Congrats

    Reply

  8. Congrats! We started around the same time! Did you ever imagine blogging would be so fulfilling? I’ll totally have a ‘virtual’ L’chaim with you!!

    Keep up the great and inspirational work…one of these days we have to have a jewish blogger get together event!!
    xo
    Sharon

    Reply

    1. I didn’t realize you started the same time as me. Yes, blogging has truly become a labor of love! I’m all for a blogger get-together, lets work on something!

      Reply

  10. Congratulations Chanie! Amazed at how big and beautiful this has become!

    Can I please get to celebrate with you over some of that tempting mulled wine???

    Reply

  12. I’m not one that posts or comments, but i just heard about ur blog over Chanukah & it has become a main button on my bookmarks tab :)
    you have such gr8 ideas & thanks for sharing them in such a user friendly manner (gotta love all the pics!!!)

    Reply

  15. Happy blogoversary! Love ur blog! Pics, recipes, and crafting-so creative and fun to read. Cheers to another year of success!

    Reply
  16. Pingback: Thanksgiving Recipes | Mulled Wine Cranberry Sauce

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