Carefree Cranberry Sauce

Thanksgiving is right around the corner; a holiday steeped in tradition and history.   Traditions may not all be celebrated in the same way, but for most, it involves family and food. Traditions can change with time, adapting for what this year’s challenges have presented. As a boy, my family used to gather at a cabin in the woods that my grandfather had built. In more recent times due to an expanded guest list and a more convenient location, it has been held at my uncle’s farm. We spend our time catching up on what everyone has been up to, going for walks in a rural setting and for most of us, enjoying some downtime outside of the craziness of our everyday lives. Traditions can change; to some, what is old can become new again.

Before there was store bought cranberry sauce there was still cranberry sauce. Similar to “those dishes mom used to make” the canned sauce has been around long enough now for people to have developed an emotional attachment to the commercially made, cranberry flavoured jelly product. Canned or homemade, cranberry sauce is a staple at the table at Thanksgiving.

Recipe:

4 cups cranberries

½ cup sugar

¼ cup water

1 cinnamon stick

1 pod star anise

4 whole cloves

In a pan over medium heat add sugar, cinnamon, star anise, cloves and water.

When sugar is fully dissolved add the cranberries and let simmer for ten minutes.

Using a slotted spoon or potato masher crush the cranberries and simmer, covered, for another five minutes.

Cool and store or serve.

*This recipe can be made ahead and refrigerated for up to three days. *

With each and every recipe, and each and every cook, customization is king. When it comes to cranberry sauce, cranberries are the only core item that cannot be omitted. A sweetener is required, however brown sugar, white sugar and honey could all be substituted depending upon your personal preference. Citrus, red or port wine and pepper are all acceptable additions to cranberry sauce. So whether you are looking for a new recipe to try or inspiration to instill I hope you and yours have a very happy Thanksgiving!