Condiments

The addition of crushed pineapple mellows out the tartness of the cranberry sauce without changing that great cranberry taste.

This is another one of those recipes I like to call ‘Quick, Easy and Good’. Like all cranberry sauces, it can be made ahead, which is always a good thing, right?

I don’t know about you, but I am a cranberry sauce FREAK. I just love cranberry sauce! I also love pineapple. So for me, this Cranberry Sauce with Crushed Pineapple is a win-win situation. And adding 1/4 tsp. grated orange peel (..no pith allowed..) adds just the right bit of zip.

This recipe makes a thick and chunky cranberry sauce. It’s like ‘all fruit.. all the time’.

++ If you prefer your cranberry sauce a bit more saucy, just add 1 – 2 Tbs. more water to the ingredients.

++ If you prefer your cranberry sauce less sweet, add a bit less sugar.

INGREDIENTS AND METHOD

12 oz. fresh cranberries ++ Did you know cranberries can be frozen. I learned that when we lived in Malta and cranberries were only sold during the Christmas season. ++ 12 oz. fresh cranberries equals about 3 cups
1 (8 oz) can crushed pineapple – DRAINED
1 cup sugar
3 tbs water ++ Want a bit more ‘sauce’… add 1 – 2 more Tbs. water
1/8 tsp finely grated orange peel ++ DO NOT grate into the pith – the white part.

Pick through cranberries, eliminating any ‘squishy’ ones and taking off any little stems. Rinse in a colander.

Place cranberries into a medium saucepan. Add 1 cup sugar, 3 tablespoons water and 1/8 tsp. finely grated orange peel. ++ Remember – no pith!

Simmer over low heat, stirring occasionally, until sugar dissolves and cranberries are soft – about 10 minutes.

Raise heat to medium and cook until the cranberries burst – about 12 minutes. Allow to cool. Refrigerate leftover cranberry sauce.

As I like to say, “It doesn’t get much easier than that.” Enjoy!

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I consider my Homemade Whole-Berry Cranberry Sauce with Apple and a Hint of Cinnamon a ‘bonus recipe‘ in my series of 6 ‘make ahead’ recipes, all of which can be prepared – or prepped – a day or two ahead, which will help to make your busy life a bit easier! By preparing a few dishes each night for two nights, all you’ll need to do the day of The Big Feast is roast the turkey, make the gravy and cook the green beans.

Everything was very casual the night of the ‘taste testing’.

MENU

Mashed Potatoes with Sour Cream and Chives

https://myyellowfarmhouse.com/2014/11/13/make-ahead-turkey-dinner-recipe-no-1-mashed-potatoes-with-sour-cream-and-chives/

Sweet Potatoes with Cinnamon, Nutmeg and a Dash of Bourbon

https://myyellowfarmhouse.com/2014/11/15/make-ahead-turkey-dinner-recipe-no-2-sweet-potatoes-with-cinnamon-nutmeg-and-a-splash-of-brandy/

Herb Stuffing with Baby Bella Mushrooms, Celery and Onion

https://myyellowfarmhouse.com/2014/11/15/make-ahead-turkey-dinner-recipe-no-3-herb-stuffing-with-baby-bella-mushrooms/

++ Green Beans with Browned Butter and Sesame Seeds

https://myyellowfarmhouse.com/2014/11/22/green-beans-with-browned-butter-and-sesame-seeds-browned-butter-can-be-prepared-ahead/

Turkey Breast (or Turkey) with White Wine, Oranges & + Savory Turkey Gravy

https://myyellowfarmhouse.com/2014/11/17/make-ahead-turkey-dinner-recipes-no-4-5-roasted-turkey-breast-or-whole-turkey-with-white-wine-oranges-and-apples-savory-turkey-gravy/

Bonus Recipe – Homemade Whole-Berry Cranberry Sauce with Apple and a Hint of Cinnamon

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I’m so pleased with how this cranberry sauce turned out. Adding a bit of apple mellows out the naturally tart taste of the cranberries. And, the addition of just two small pinches of cinnamon and some brown sugar adds a subtle something extra. (I’m heading down to Philadelphia for Thanksgiving & I’m taking this cranberry sauce to share. I’ll be helping out where I can while I’m there. Still – it’s so nice to be a guest!!)

There are times… luckily not often… when I get a recipe idea that turns out really bad. Such was the case recently. I had the idea of substituting some orange juice for the water when making homemade cranberry sauce. DON’T EVER TRY THAT !! It was so sour – and I learned long ago that you just can’t fix sour… no matter how much sugar you add. (Perhaps freshly squeezed orange juice would’ve worked…. what do you think?)

Ingredients and Method

3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar ++ NOT packed down !!
1 cup water
1 bag (12 oz.) fresh cranberries
1/3 cup chopped (peeled) apple ++ See photo below to give you an idea of what size chunks.
2 pinches cinnamon
++ You can add a few tablespoons of chopped walnuts, filberts or pecans etc. AFTER the cranberry sauce had been made.

Open a 12 oz. bag of cranberries – discard any bad ones. Set aside.

Peel and chop apple. You’ll need 1/3 cup. ++ No turkeys were abused during the making of this cranberry sauce. I did all the work myself, even though Mr. Turkey looks so very proud !