MAMA’S CRANBERRY SAUCE
Hot take: cranberry sauce is better than gravy.
2 ½ cups , 40 minutes
Ingredients:
2 bags of frozen cranberries (20 oz total)
1 ½ cups sugar
1 - 1 ½ cups water
2 tsps or so of cinnamon (I like a lot, maybe 2 teaspoons.)
1 tsp nutmeg
Touch of powdered ginger
1 orange - juice and zest
1 lemon - zest
The Blistered Peppers Take:
Most cranberry sauce recipes are similar to this but I believe this one is superior because well, it’s my Mama’s! She lets the sauce cook for 1-2 hours so most of the moisture evaporates and the sauce is more like a marmalade. She also waits to add the orange juice til the end (commonly the orange juice is used at beginning to boil with sugar). Cranberry sauce is so controversial over the holidays but this will convert you I promise! Homemade is always better.
HOW CAN I CHANGE THIS UP?
If you don’t have time for the sauce to cook for 1-2 hours, use a little less water and a little less OJ so there is less liquid consistency. But make the time. Typically Thanksgiving or holiday prep overall lasts a week. So make yourself a cup of tea or a cocktail one night during the week - dump the ingredients on the stove and let it go low and slow. You'll refrigerate the cranberry sauce anyways!
WHERE ELSE CAN I USE IT?
Oh my gosh the possibilities are endless. Like I said above - this recipe can last for weeks - like jarred jelly! But on Thanksgiving day, putting some of this cranberry sauce on the same fork as a piece of turkey and some homemade stuffing - YUM. Next day smear it on a sandwich for your after Thanksgiving turkey sandwich. Bake up some brie and pour some of this on top! What else do you do with your cranberry sauce? Let me know I’m always up for new ideas!
The holiday season has arrived and I’m here for it - it’s been a LONG year. Send me your holiday traditions and let me know what you think of this sauce. Did you cook it low and slow or hurry it up a bit? What did you think? Tag me on social and send me your pics. Enjoy!
Add some of these Blistered Peppers sides to your table:
Brussels Sprouts and Broccoli Salad
Steps:
In a large pot, over medium heat, bring the sugar and water to a boil.
Once boiling, add the cranberries. The cranberries will start to burst after about 10-15 minutes. Add this point, add the cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, lemon and orange zest, and orange juice.
Lower the heat and let the cranberry sauce cook until the desired consistency. I like mine thick - marmalade like and not sauc-y so I’d say cook for about 40 minutes on a low heat.
