I feel a little guilty asking you that question,
because if you asked me, I wouldn't be able to choose.
Stuffing...Sweet Potato Pie...Cranberry Sauce...
They are all in my top three,
and I'd be hard pressed to pick my favorite.
Individually, they are delicious, but taken together,
it's side-dish Nirvana, with all of the flavors playing off each other.
Savory stuffing...
Sweet potatoes...
Savory stuffing...
Sweet potatoes...
Tart cranberry sauce...
To me, they taste best when they're all mushed together on my fork...
nom nom nom.
Who needs the turkey, anyway?
Frankly, I'd be happy if dinner consisted of those three sides,
and dessert.
And a glass of wine.
Or three.
There was a time when the only cranberry sauce I knew of
was the jellied kind that came out of a can, sliced into round, velvety discs.
(Raise your hand if that was you, too).
nom nom nom.
Who needs the turkey, anyway?
Frankly, I'd be happy if dinner consisted of those three sides,
and dessert.
And a glass of wine.
Or three.
There was a time when the only cranberry sauce I knew of
was the jellied kind that came out of a can, sliced into round, velvety discs.
(Raise your hand if that was you, too).
It's what my mother bought, and it's what came on my plate
when I ordered a hot open turkey sandwich at the diner.
I wasn't always the sophisticated foodie that I am now...heh heh!
when I ordered a hot open turkey sandwich at the diner.
I wasn't always the sophisticated foodie that I am now...heh heh!
Somewhere along the way, I discovered whole-berry cranberry sauce from a can.
I think I bought it by mistake, actually.
I didn't like it.
I didn't like it.
Those hard, splintery berry skins just ruined it for me.
Feh.
But, it did set off a light bulb that real cranberry sauce didn't grow in a can...
and there were supposed to be actual berries in it.
Oh.
Feh.
But, it did set off a light bulb that real cranberry sauce didn't grow in a can...
and there were supposed to be actual berries in it.
Oh.
I don't remember who introduced me to fresh cranberry sauce,
but once I tried it, there was no turning back.
It was berry enlightening.
And so, every Thanksgiving, when I make my fresh cranberry sauce,
I am thankful for learning this important food life-lesson.
Mostly, I am thankful that I don't have to go to a cranberry bog
in Cape Cod to pick the berries...
all I have to do is grab a bag or two in the produce aisle at the supermarket.
It was berry enlightening.
And so, every Thanksgiving, when I make my fresh cranberry sauce,
I am thankful for learning this important food life-lesson.
Mostly, I am thankful that I don't have to go to a cranberry bog
in Cape Cod to pick the berries...
all I have to do is grab a bag or two in the produce aisle at the supermarket.
Making fresh cranberry sauce doesn't take much more effort than opening a can.
It's as easy as dissolving sugar in water,
mixing in the cranberries, cooking the berries until they pop, and letting the sauce thicken.
15 minutes, tops.
15 minutes, tops.
When it's cooled, I like to mix in mandarin oranges,
crushed pineapple and chopped walnuts.
Awesomesauce!
Cranberry Awesomesauce, to be exact.
The recipe makes about eight servings...
or two, if you're me.
crushed pineapple and chopped walnuts.
Awesomesauce!
Cranberry Awesomesauce, to be exact.
The recipe makes about eight servings...
or two, if you're me.
Do you make your own cranberry sauce?
What do you add to make it "awesomesauce?"
What do you add to make it "awesomesauce?"
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Wow Us Wednesday
Wake Up Wednesday
What's It Wednesday
Home and Garden Thursday
Weekend Social
Let's Get Real
Feathered Nest Friday
Home Sweet Home
Simple and Sweet Friday
Foodie Friday
Pure Blog Love
Best of the Weekend
Bouquet of Talent
Sunday Showcase
Metamorphosis Monday
The Scoop
Tweak It Tuesday
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Happy Holiday Link Party
That sounds good. I may try that this year. I have made my own sauce for years but rarely add anything to it. I would have to leave the nuts out of your recipe because I have NUT HATERS here (there is definitely SOMETHING WRONG with them). lol I have added the oranges but never the pineapple. I think I will try this and let you know how they like it. xo Diana
ReplyDeleteSuch a colourful and fresh looking cranberry sauce! I have always made from fresh or frozen berries but have never added pineapple or nuts - such a wonderful layer of flavour! I usually only add orange juice and some orange zest. Cranberry awesome sauce indeed!
ReplyDeleteDear Amy, I grew up with the sliced cranberry sauce too and now moved on as you have done. It is so much better. xo Catherine
ReplyDeleteThere is something about cranberry sauce at Thanksgiving. It just belongs there, doesn't it? I have always just opened a can (I know, sad). But, it's actually what I like. I really don't like the kind with the chunky berries. Yours looks good though. It's a combination that I haven't seen before, so I bet I would like it.
ReplyDeleteThis does look a lot more awesome that the traditional sauce I had in Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving food has become one of my favorite American food, even though I only had them in restaurants. Love those juicy turkey.
ReplyDeleteOne of my sons loves cranberry sauce. I have made the home made cranberry-orange relish before but not this one...I'll have to try it for the holidays. It looks wonderful. I am quite sure the family will love it :)
ReplyDeleteI am in heaven! Now the decision is do I make it Just For Me? I am the only one in my whole circle of family and friends that even likes the stuff! How do you think it will freeze?! :)
ReplyDeleteI must confess I used canned cranberries... But I find some that are canned in their own juice in a glass jar... More expensive, but very good.
ReplyDeleteOh, you always so good writing about food:-)
ReplyDeleteuntil I have the urge to run to the kitchen and has just to do it:-)
best wishes
We usually use pecans and orange juice, but yours sound even better with a little pineapple. Yum.
ReplyDeleteMadonna
This looks just delicious and so pretty, Amy! It look similar to the cranberry sauce/relish my MIL makes every year, and I love hers! We always had the jellied cranberry sauce when I was growing up, too, but I think the whole berry sauce with oranges and nuts is wonderful. :) Thanks for sharing your recipe with us.
ReplyDeleteVisiting from Home Sweet Home party; have a great weekend!
Hugs,
Denise
Oh, yes homemade cranberry sauce is my favourite. Yours looks great. You
ReplyDeleteThis sounds SO YUMMY!! I usually buy the obligatory can of jellied cranberry sauce, but have bought a bag to make some. Last year, I used some of the cranberry sauce, pureed it, and pour proseco over top. Cranberry Belinis! Thank you for sharing with #FoodieFridays this week!
ReplyDeleteI want to celebrate Thanksgiving with you, Amy! The sides, dessert, and wine....yes, please! I do make my own cranberry sauce, and I love the look of yours! Thank you for sharing it with us at Treasure Box Tuesday- pinned! ♥
ReplyDeleteI love cranberries and oranges as a combination and in sauce they're fabulous. Your sauce is such an easy and creative way to combine them. Thanks for stopping by our Happy Holidays Link Party - be sure to join us again this week (beginning on Saturday at 7 pm ET) and every week through the holidays.
ReplyDelete