Fresh Twists for Cranberry Sauce
Cranberry sauce is one of Thanksgiving’s oldest traditions. It’s likely the Pilgrims ate some form of cranberries – perhaps sauce sweetened with honey, since they didn’t have sugar. And most families wouldn’t consider Thanksgiving dinner without some form of that slightly tart berry sauce.
If you’ve never made cranberry sauce, you’re in for a treat. It’s much tastier than the canned kind. And if you’re looking to put a new twist on this year’s cranberry sauce, I’ve got some ideas for you, too.
Basic Cranberry Sauce
Homemade cranberry sauce is easy to make. Just wash 4 cups of fresh cranberries, then put 1 cup water and 1 cup sugar in a saucepan. (If you prefer a tart rather than sweet flavor, add just ¼ cup of sugar.) Bring to a boil, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Add the cranberries and return the mixture to a boil. Simmer for about 10 minutes, or until the cranberries pop open. Taste the sauce. If it seems too tart, add a little more sugar. Allow the sugar to dissolve, then taste again. Repeat until you’re satisfied. Remove the sauce from the stove and allow to cool completely. Let the sauce thicken in the refrigerator.
Go Nutty
There are lots of easy way to jazz up homemade or store bought cranberry sauce. One way is to add nuts. A ½ cup of chopped pecans is a nice touch.
Go Zesty
Slice half an orange peel into very thin strips. Remove the white pulp. Chop finely and add the peel to homemade sauce along with the cranberries. (Or, if you prefer, just use a zester to remove the skin of half an orange.)
Go Fruity
A cup or so of dried currants or raisins adds a sweet touch to cranberry sauce. Either add the dried fruits to homemade sauce after adding the cranberries, or soak the dried fruit in water for about 10 to 15 minutes before adding to store bought sauce. Thawed frozen blueberries can also be added to prepared cranberry sauce.
Add the Juice
When making home made cranberry sauce, try using orange or apple juice in place of water/
Spice it Up
A little nutmeg, cinnamon, and/or allspice adds a festive touch.
