Christmas Wassail Recipe

Core apples and cut in half. Place cut side down in an 8-in. square baking dish. Pour water around apples. Bake, uncovered, at 375° for 20-25 minutes or until tender. Cool slightly; scoop out pulp and place in a blender. Discard apple peel. Add 1/2 cup cider to the blender; cover and process until smooth. In a Dutch oven, combine the oranges, lemons, sugar, nutmeg, cloves, cinnamon, pulp mixture and remaining cider. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 15 minutes. Discard orange and lemon slices and cinnamon stick if desired. Yield: about 2 gallons.