When it comes to hard cider, there are a few things you need to know before cooking with it.
Hard cider is a type of alcoholic beverage made from fermented apple juice, and it has a high alcohol content – usually around 7-8% ABV.
This means that it can be used as a cooking ingredient, but you need to be careful not to cook with it at too high a heat, or you’ll end up with a burnt, unpleasant taste.
Luckily, there are plenty of delicious hard cider recipes that don’t require any cooking at all.
For example, you could try making a hard cider, apple crumble, and hard cider mulled wine or hard cider sangria.
Or, if you’re feeling creative, you could even try your hand at making your hard cider vinegar.
Of course, if you do want to cook with hard cider, there are plenty of recipes out there that make use of its unique flavor.
For example, you could try making a hard cider-braised pork shoulder, hard cider-glazed salmon, or hard cider-baked apple flavor.
5 Delicious Ways to Use Hard Cider in the Kitchen
Hard apple cider is a fall favorite for many, but did you know that this crisp and slightly sweet beverage can also be used in the Kitchen?
Here are five delicious ways to use traditional cider in the Kitchen.
1. In a marinade: Hard cider can add a touch of sweetness and acidity to a marinade, making it perfect for pork or chicken.
2. In a glaze: A hard cider glaze can add a beautiful shine and flavor to roasted meats or vegetables.
3. In a soup: Thick and creamy soups are made even better with a splash of traditional cider.
4. In a delicious sauce: From BBQ creamy sauce to stir-fry sauce, hard cider can help take your dish to the next level.
5. In a dessert: From cobblers to cakes, plenty of desserts benefit from a little hard cider. So go ahead and add it to your favorite recipe.
Hard cider is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes.
So next time you’re looking to add a little something extra to your meal, reach for a bottle of traditional cider and get cooking!
What are the Cider Substitutes in Cooking?
Use an equal amount of each of the following to replace the ingredients in your recipe:
- Apple juice
- Rice wine vinegar
- lemon juice
- rice wine
- Wine vinegar reverse
- sherry vinegar
- white wine vinegar
- white wine
Recipes to Make Using Hard Apple Cider
Braise with Hard Cider
Ingredients:
- 1 lb Pork Shoulder
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup apple cider
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon thyme
- Salt and pepper
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Heat olive oil over medium-high heat in a large pot or Dutch oven.
3. Add the pork shoulder and sear on all sides until browned.
4. Remove the pork from the pot and set it aside.
5. In the same pot, saute onions and garlic until softened.
6. Add the apple cider and thyme, and bring them to a boil.
7. Season with salt and pepper, then return the pork to the pot.
8. Cover the pot and bake in the oven for 2-3 hours or until the pork is cooked.
9. Once the pork is cooked, remove it from the pot and shred it with a fork.
10. Serve the pork on mashed potatoes or rice bed, and spoon the cider sauce over the top.
Hard Cider Mulled Wine
Ingredients:
- 1 bottle of red wine
- 1 cup apple cider
- 1 orange, sliced
- 1 lemon, sliced
- 3 cinnamon sticks
- 1 tablespoon honey
Instructions:
1. In a large pot or Dutch oven, combine all ingredients.
2. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat.
3. Reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for 30 minutes.
4. Serve the mulled wine in mugs or cups, and garnish with a slice of orange or lemon, if desired.
Hard Cider Sangria
Ingredients:
- 1 bottle of white wine
- 1 cup apple cider
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 1/2 cup lemon juice
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 orange, sliced
- 1 lemon, sliced
- 1 apple, sliced
Instructions:
1. Combine all the ingredients in a large pitcher or jug.
2. Stir well to dissolve the sugar.
3. Let the sangria sit for at least an hour so the flavors can meld.
4. Serve over ice, and garnish with a slice of orange, lemon, or apple.
Hard Cider Baked Apples
Ingredients:
- 4 large apples
- 1 cup apple cider
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Using a paring knife, core the apples, careful not to cut them through.
3. Mix the apple cider, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a small bowl.
4. Stuff the mixture into the cores of the apples.
5. Place the apples in a baking dish, and pour the remaining cider mixture over the top.
6. Bake the apples for 30-40 minutes or until they are soft and cooked.
7. Serve the apples warm, topped with a scoop of ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.
Apple Balsamic Chicken
Ingredients:
- 1 lb chicken breast, chicken thighs cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1/2 cup apple cider
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/4 cup chopped onion
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 cup diced apple
Instructions:
1. Whisk together hard apple cider, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper in a large bowl.
2. Add the chicken pieces to the bowl and coat them in the marinade.
3. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to 8 hours.
4. Heat chicken broth over medium heat in a large skillet or Dutch oven.
5. Add onion and garlic, and cook until softened.
6. Add the chicken pieces to the roast chicken’s pan and cook until browned on all sides and cooked through.
7. Stir in the diced apple and thyme, and cook for 1-2 minutes longer.
8. Serve over rice or quinoa, and garnish with additional chopped apple, if desired.
Conclusion
These recipes show that hard cider can be used in various dishes, from savory to overly sweet. Give them a try the next time you’re looking for a new way to use this tasty beverage!