Cranberry Sauce
12 oz. fresh cranberries, washed and drained
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1/4 to 1/3 cup water
1 1/2 cinnamon sticks
1/2 tsp ground allspice
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
The zest and juice of one small-to-medium orange
Pick through the cranberries carefully to remove the squishy/bad ones. Rinse and drain. Combine cranberries, sugar, allspice, nutmeg, cinnamon sticks, and water in a medium pot. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat. Reduce to simmer; cook for 5 to 7 minutes. Add the orange juice and zest, then allow the sauce to cool before serving at room temperature. Refrigerate leftovers; sauce will be good for 10-12 days.
I never even liked cranberry sauce until I tried this recipe. Neither did my husband. My mother-in-law used to send us searching for an orange cranberry relish at grocery stores all over Knoxville -- I only found it twice, but when I did find it, I bought her three containers of it.
This recipe is so good, I cannot imagine having Thanksgiving without it. And it's so easy, I hesitated putting it on this blog!
If you're skeptical, I totally understand. Make it for your mother-in-law and see if she likes it. I just sent a jar of it with Wesley (my husband) as he headed for his mother's house -- I mean, seriously, just three or four minutes ago. I'll let you know what she says.
(And if I get a good glamour shot of the sauce on Thanskgiving day, I'll update this blog! Right now I'm in the process of getting ready for the big meal during a weird pandemic year. Sunday was for cornbread and cranberry sauce. Monday is for brine and washing all the china!)
EDITED TO ADD: Got the glamour shot -- and my mother-in-law called on Tuesday to rave about the sauce. I have to make another batch just for her!
I thought there were more bad cranberries this year than usual, but the sauce still turned out delicious.
Cruddy little kitchen counters are crowded this time of year!
Watch out for popping cranberries! It's like flying candy coming out of the pot!
Pretty, isn't it? Let me know if you try it, and whether you like it!
Happy Happy Thanksgiving you you and the family!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Erik! I hope yours was lovely, too!!!
Delete