Recipes for a Twelfth Night Celebration

Holiday Wassail

This punch dates to medieval times, when drinkers toasted one another with the Saxon phrase "wass hael," meaning "be whole," or, "be well."

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Ingredients:

• 1 gallon apple cider
• 1 large can unsweetened pineapple juice
• 3/4 cup tea

Place in a cheesecloth sack:

• 1 tablespoon whole cloves
• 1 tablespoon whole allspice
• 2 sticks cinnamon

This is great cooked in a crock pot. Let it simmer very slowly for 4 to 6 hours. You can add water if it evaporates too much. Serves 20.

Gingerbread

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Ingredients:

• 1 cup sugar
• 2 teaspoons ginger
• 1 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup melted margarine
• 1/2 cup evaporated milk
• 1 cup unsulfered molasses
• 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3/4 teaspoon lemon extract
• 4 cups stone-ground or unbleached flour, unsifted

Combine the sugar, ginger, nutmeg, cinnamon, salt, and baking soda. Mix well. Add the melted margarine, evaporated milk and molasses. Add the extracts. Mix well. Add the flour 1 cup at a time, stirring constantly. The dough should be stiff enough to handle without sticking to fingers. Knead the dough for a smoother texture. Add up to 1/2 cup additional flour if necessary to prevent sticking. When the dough is smooth, roll it out 1/4 inch thick on a floured surface and cut it into cookies. Bake on floured or greased cookie sheets in a preheated 375°F oven for 10 to 12 minutes. The gingerbread cookies are done when they spring back when touched.