Speaking of the holidays...

[Traci]

...and because I didn't want to hijack slvrwhispr's post, does anyone know what to do with cranberries? I hate them, despise them actually, but I am having a full house for turkey day and two of the people absolutely must have them. Any cranberry recipes? Does it have to be a relish, or can I just slap a can of cranberry jelly on the table? (I'm kinda serious about that last q, LOL). I have everything else planned, just don't know what to do about those gross red things.

[slvrwhispr]

Y'know... the only way I've ever seen 'em prepared is out of the can, mushed down, with some sugar or powdered sugar sprinkled on top to make it look like there was some effort.

But a quick allrecipes scan shows that this recipe seems to be popular. I don't eat the berries either, so I have NO idea what "real" cranberry sauce is supposed to taste like.

Admin note: Not entirely sure but have edited to omit the link and include the actual recipe....A trojan tried to download on my computer when I visited the site, again not sure the site is injected with a virus, but exercise caution, make sure your antivirus program is running. It is the infamous Antivirus2009 virus, similar to the other infamous Antivirus2008 virus, removal instructions at bleepingcomputer.com

Cranberry Salad Recipe:

INGREDIENTS

* 12 ounces cranberries
* 1 cup white sugar
* 1 cup orange juice

DIRECTIONS

1. In a medium sized saucepan over medium heat, dissolve the sugar in the orange juice. Stir in the cranberries and cook until the cranberries start to pop (about 10 minutes). Remove from heat and place sauce in a bowl. Cranberry sauce will thicken as it cools.

Others at the site mentioned commonly agreed alterations:

1. instead of 1 cup orange juice, use 1/2 c orange juice and 1/2 c water
2. instead of 1 cup sugar, use 1/2 c white sugar and 1/2 c brown sugar
3. add 1/4 t cinnamon
4. cook on low heat for 10-20 minutes longer to help firm more, refrigerate for at least 1 full day.

[Cleo]

Oh gosh please, no canned cranberry sauce. And that's coming from a fellow cranberry hater! I'll get you my mom's recipe for cranberry sauce. It's simple.

[Traci]

Cool, thanks guys. Slvrwhispr, I remember something about adding orange to it, it actually makes it sound good. And your version sounds good as well, despite our shared dislike of cranberries!

Thanks, Cleo, bring it on!

[slvrwhispr]

I like cranberry juice. But the sauce... I tried it once and it just tasted all bitter, no flavor. Bleh. Maybe I just never had it from anyone who had a good recipe? I have no idea. I don't even think it's ever on the table at my grandpa's anymore; I don't think anyone in the family eats it.

[Traci]

I can't even stand the juice.

My grandma always made it for Christmas dinner, when I was little I observed alot of adults eating it, I'm sure she put something magical in it, but dumb me never thought I'd ever want her recipe. (although I have 10 thousand of her other recipes!)

[StarfishSaving]

My mother-in-law and her whole family serve up a can-shaped pile of cranberry sauce slices...

I don't eat it, so I don't really have any other input. But I've never seen anyone complain, lol

[momPaws]

Somewhere I also saw a recipe with orange juice in it...sounded good.

[Marty]

There are a couple traditional recipes on the back of Ocean Spray fresh cranberries...one is a relish.

My favorite...you might like, comes from my Mom. It's a gelatin made with cranberries, oranges, celery, etc. A little more work, but worth it. OK, I'll go get it...it's pretty bad to be bored at 6 AM.

Cranberry Salad

1 pkg cherry gelatin
1 c hot water
1 T lemon juice
1 c pineapple syrup
1 c ground cranberries
1 orange (or a can of mandarin oranges)
1 c drained crushed pineapple
1 c chopped celery
1/2 c chopped nuts

Dissolve gelatin in hot water. Add lemon juice and syrup. Stir to dissolve.. Chill until partially set. Add remaining ingredients. Chill in an oiled mold. You can make this the day before...


Another option is to make a cranberry bread, which is also delicious. I think there is a recipe on the package as well.

Or a chutney...not as good as the gel, but more like the traditional cranberry sauce.

Cranberry Chutney

1 16 oz pkg cranberries 1 c chopped celery
2 c sugar 1 apple, chopped
1 c orange juice 1 T grated orange peel
1 c raisins 1 tsp ginger
1 c chopped nuts

In 3 qt saucepan over medium heat, heat cranberries, sugar and 1 c water to boiling, stirring often. Reduce heat to low, simmer 15 minutes. Remove from heat, stir in rest of ingredients. Cover and refrigerate.


Edited to add ingredients to the gelatin recipe. At least on my screen, they got chopped off.

[Traci]

Thank you, Marty, both make the cranberries sound kinda good, except for the nuts, yuck!