Glögg

Over the past week I have discovered that glögg (a high-strength Swedish mulled wine concoction) can give you the fortitude to cast on 318 stitches for the third time, deal with a finicky furnace when the temperature is 22°, calm your nerves after a day filled with delays and aggravation, and even recover after a party where some people made spectacularly ignorant and intolerant comments (but you were afraid to say anything because they happen to be your husband's bosses). 

I was lucky enough to receive this as a gift from a lovely and thoughtful friend, but I've enjoyed my evening imbibement so much that I think I will make some myself when this jar is sadly empty. There seem to be many, many recipes out there, but I will probably try the simplest one first, the one that has ingredients I can actually obtain. Even Penzey's doesn't seem to carry Indonesian long peppers, but I did order cardamom seeds.

If you get a chance to sample glögg or even make it yourself for some delicious, holiday warmth, I'd highly recommend it. Glögg is good for what ails you, and may also work wonders if you're lucky enough not to have any ailments.