Friday, December 5, 2008

CRANBERRY CRAZY

Each year my love affair with cranberries grows even stronger. This year I bout one 16 oz bag and a three pound bag of them. OMG. Am I hoarder? Ah, yeah, that would be me. But you know, I made the typical cranberry sauce for Thanksgiving, cooked with orange juice and grated zest. I added red wine and should have left it at that cause it was real good. Unfortunately, I added about a 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon and in my opinion it kind of stole the show. At least from the cranberries.

I also made Martha's cranberry chutney. My sister in law and I both felt there was something missing in that. I think I will add grated ginger to it the next time I make it. That probably would do it.

The real star, the one pictured above was cranberry salsa. Folks, it was outstanding. I am not sure if it would be outstanding in everyone's book. It sure made a disappearing act here on Thanksgiving day.

CRANBERRY SALSA
Lori's Lipsmacing Goodness Original

1 medium onion, chopped
1 cup of water
16 oz. bag of cranberries
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup of sugar
6 scallions, chopped
1/2 cup of cilantro
chilis or jalapeno to taste

In a sauce pan combine water, salt, sugar, cranberries and onion. Cook until cranberries have popped. If water runs out at a little at a time. You should end up with a fairly thick sauce. If you find it still is too tart, add a little sugar at a time to get the desired taste. Remove from heat and add chopped cilantro, green onions and chilis. It is best to chill it overnight to let the flavors marry.

10 comments:

Cristine said...

Looks yummy! I have just recently started liking cranberries - they are fantastic!

kat said...

Cranberries are so good with something a little zingy or spicy so I can see this being great

The Blonde Duck said...

I've never tried them out of the can...I know! So bad.

Bunny said...

I've never made my own cranberry sauce but darn it girl I'm gonna make yours, the one witht he orange juice and zest, do you have an recipe for it on your blog?

Lori said...

Cristine- welcome to my club! Maybe its a changing palate thing. When I was a kid, I was not that impressed. Wasnt until oh, the last five years or so. It's a developing love affair! he he

Kat- Got to love them! You are right, something about the zing/cranberry combo.

The Blonde Duck- Maybe you will learn to them...

Bunny- So glad. You can make it two ways, cooked or uncooked. For the fresh, grind the cranberries (12 oz) and add about 3/4 of a cup of sugar and orange zest and juice until you have the consistency you want.

For the cooked kind, Add about a cup of water along with orange juice in a sauce pan and cook until the cranberries are popped. Add a half of a cup of sugar to the mix, along with zest.

With both of these, they will taste much better the next day.

Let me know how it goes if you do it!

grace said...

there are far worse things to which one could be addicted...
cranberry salsa, eh? i think that's something i'd enjoy immensely--thanks for sharing!

Anonymous said...

I think we share an addiction ;)

Lucy..♥ said...

I'd have to share in Maryann's comment, yep an addiction is what they are ;-)

Jess said...

I just wanted to let you know that I made this tasty salsa for a work potluck, and everyone was absolutely smitten with it. It is great. Sweet and spicy - perfect! Thanks for sharing!

Lori said...

Grace, indeed you are correct. I guess I am grateful. Kicked the smoking habit 10 plus years ago. So cranberries are an addiction that I choose never to give up!

Maryann and Lucy- thanks for sharing the addiction with me. It's good to know I am not alone.

Jess, I am so glad you enjoyed it. What could make me smile more than a recipe that went over big! Thanks for sharing.