So I decided to take the home-boiled cider challenge this weekend since our market had fresh-pressed local cider. I used the microwave, since I have no patience for standing over the stove stirring for hours (plus the propane tank unexpectedly went empty--all that baking!, but that's another story. ;-D) I used a 2 quart glass measuring cup, and ran the microwave on high for 30 minute intervals, stirring between each interval. When the bubbles looked thick, and it had cooked down about 1/2-2/3s, I dribbled some on a cold plate to check consistency, and poured into a sterilized canning jar. Whew! Fun experiment, but I'll continue to buy my boiled cider to avoid all that work. Buy the way, if you attempt this, when it starts to thicken, be VERY careful when taking it out of the microwave to stir--it boils up like molten lava when the spoon hits it! Don't let kids try this, the boiled down cider is EXTREMELY hot! On the plus side, I threw a cinnamon stick in at the beginning, and the results of the experiment were extremely yummy.

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