Lunch: Spiced Caramel Cider Recipe | Myrecipes

If you'd prefer a beverage with less spice, try substituting apple juice for the apple cider. It's fantastic either way.

This recipe includes superfoods such as:

Cinnamon, Lemon

Health benefits of Spiced Caramel Cider Recipe | Myrecipes

Cinnamon is one of the best ingredients that someone with insulin sensitivity can eat. Half a teaspoon of cinnamon per day has been shown to be very effective at normalizing blood sugar levels. Cinnamon contains hydroxychalcone, which is thought to enhance the effects of insulin. It has also been suggested that Cinnamon prevents post-meal blood sugar spikes by slowing the gastric emptying rate - meaning that food digests slowly. (Reference: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11506060). Lemons can help to prevent oxidative damage to the body, which women with PCOS are often susceptible to. Lemons are also rich in vitamin C, flavonoids, and other antioxidants. They can potentially support the immune system and have other health benefits. Lemons also have a low glycemic index, so they should not cause a rapid rise in blood sugar when consumed in natural form.

Ingredients

1/2 cup sugar
3 tablespoons water
1 tablespoon butter
1/3 cup whipping cream
5 whole allspice
5 whole cloves
2 (3-inch) cinnamon sticks
10 cup apple cider
1/4 cup fresh orange juice
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Cinnamon sticks (optional)

Instructions

Place sugar and 3 tablespoons water in a small, heavy saucepan over medium-low heat. Cook 3 minutes or until sugar melts, stirring gently. Continue cooking 5 minutes or until golden (do not stir). Remove from heat; let stand 1 minute. Add butter, stirring until melted. Gradually add whipping cream, stirring constantly. Cook over medium heat 1 minute or until caramel sauce is smooth, stirring constantly. Remove from heat.
Place allspice, cloves, and cinnamon sticks on a double layer of cheesecloth. Gather edges of cheesecloth together; tie securely. Place in a 4-quart electric slow cooker. Add cider, orange juice, and caramel sauce, stirring until caramel sauce dissolves. Cover and cook on LOW for 3 hours. Remove and discard cheesecloth bag. Stir in lemon juice.
Ladle cider into mugs. Garnish with cinnamon sticks, if desired.