Get Cooking: Hot Spiced Wine with Mini Grilled Ham and Brie Sandwiches

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Chef Lucas Trinosky
Chef's Academy

Hot Spiced Wine Ingredients:

• 4 ea Oranges
• 10-12 Cloves, whole
• 1 ea Lemon, rind only
• 2 ea Bay leaves
• ¾ cup Cognac or Bourbon
• ¾ gallon California Pinot Noir or Cabernet Sauvignon
• ½ cup Sugar

Hot Spiced Wine Directions:

1. Stud cloves into oranges.
2. Bake 15-20 minutes at 350, until cloves turn slightly white with powder
3. Heat Wine up until very hot, but don’t boil.
4. When oranges are done baking, remove from oven and put oranges in heat-proof  bowl and add lemon rind and bay leaves.
5. Heat Cognac or Bourbon – remove saucepan from stove when pouring Cognac or Bourbon into pan to avoid flameups; when warm, add oranges and set fire.
6. While the oranges are burning, pour warmed wine over oranges.
7. Stir in sugar and serve in warm mugs with a twist of orange peel.

Grilled Ham and Brie Sandwiches Ingredients:
Yields: 15 sandwiches

• 30 ea Slices Whole Wheat Bread
• 5 oz Butter, soft or slightly melted
• 30-40 oz Ham, good quality shaved
• 20-25 oz Brie
• 5 tbs. Horseradish, prepared

Grilled Ham and Brie Sandwiches Directions:

1. Pre-heat griddle or cast iron skillet
2. Butter 1 side of all of the bread
3. Arrange sandwiches trying to keep the ingredients evenly spread throughout the middle as the outside will be cut off after cooking
4. Grill the sandwiches until browned evenly on both sides and cheese is melted.
5. Remove from grill and if you have a large round cookie cutter, trim off outside crust.  If not, cut off crust with knife.
6. Arrange on platter and garnish with fresh herbs or sliced fruit