Cranberry Sauce

Yum
So many people have recipes for homemade cranberry sauce and my recipe is probably very similar to those you've already seen posted by other food bloggers. For me this recipe is special because I created it to have with the Thursday night to go hot meal at my tiny restaurant that I owned many years ago now. Every Thursday we made a complete turkey dinner with fresh mashed potatoes, homemade gravy and stuffing, two choices of vegetable and this richly colored and flavorful cranberry sauce. My customers loved the meal and loved that we actually took the time to make cranberry sauce from scratch.


Thanksgiving is such a wonderful holiday and enjoyed by many and for some, it's the best holiday of the season for them. It's not a commercialized holiday where every retail outlet is trying to get you to purchase gift items that puts a big ouch in your budget come the first of the new year.


No, it's definitely not that; not that at all. It's a day to celebrate with family and give thanks although we should practice giving thanks throughout the year and not just on this one day. For in the blink of an eye you can loose a family member that has held a place at the table for ever since you can remember. Which is why you need to hug your family tighter and be thankful the entire year for them and for the many blessings they have bestowed upon your life.

• 2 bags fresh cranberries - pick them over
• 8 oz. orange juice (1 liquid measuring cup)
• 1/2 cup cranberry juice
• 1/3 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• Grated Nutmeg to taste. (Nutmeg is a powerful spice so don't overdo it.)

1. Place all ingredients in a sauce pot.
2. Cook over medium heat until it begins to bubble.
3. Turn the heat down and cook on simmer or low heat for about 40 minutes or until the berries have popped and become tender.
4. Remove the cinnamon sticks and you are ready to serve.

You can make this a day or two in advance of your holiday dinner and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator once it has cooled down properly. To cool it down quickly immerse the pot after taking off the heat for about 15 minutes into an ice bath.

This is so delicious and so colorful and you'll be proud to serve this wonderful cranberry sauce to family, friends and any guest you invite to your celebration.

Lastly: Thanksgiving also gives us a harsh reminder that not all of us will be blessed with a large turkey and all the fixings and that we need to do our best to help in any way we can. So I urge you when your local police have a stuff the cruiser drive to contribute something. Or contribute when you can to your local food bank. If you don't know where that is located, call your town office building and they will be able to give you that information.