24.11.11

cranberry


There are a lot of recipes out there for a festive cranberry sauce and I have to confess that previously I have made mine up on Christmas morning as I'm making stock from the turkey giblets and preparing vegetables.

For this year I wanted something a little bit different, but not too much. And something that will keep long after the turkey is finished, with extra to give away as gifts. Who else to turn to than the Americans, I reckon, and it was on Pinterest that I came across this lovely book. I only typed in 'canning' to get some pretty ideas and up it popped, time and time again. Then two or three days later, courtesy of Amazon, the book was mine!

There are a couple of good recipes for cranberry sauce but on Sunday morning, whilst the children sat at the kitchen table doing their homework, this was the one for which the ingredients were already waiting in the cupboard. Actually, not quite everything so, as per usual, I adapted it just a little.



Spiced Cranberries

4 x 300g packets cranberries, rinsed and destalked
1.1kg sugar
300ml freshly squeezed orange juice (approx 5)
300 ml water
2 tsp ground cloves
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp freshly ground nutmeg

Put a small plate into the freezer. Sterilise jars.

Put all ingredients into a preserving pan and heat gently until sugar has dissolved. Bring to the boil over a high heat and then lower to a simmer and stir occasionally, until setting point is reached (a small dab of the syrup wrinkles on the plate when cooled), about 15-20 minutes.

Ladle into hot, sterilised jars and seal immediately.

makes 5 x 1pt jars


Ours are as yet unlabelled, call it a work in progress. But there are some really fun packaging ideas to download on Pinterest. And the cranberries are delicious, by the way!

Have you started making preparations yet?

PS - Happy Thanksgiving to those of you across the Pond!

11 comments:

  1. What a beautiful jewel-like colour! I just wish I could reach out and sample some. That preserving book looks so delightful. I also love the way your jar of cranberry marries so well with your red neclace header.

    I am knitting up a few precious gifts for Christmas but my priority is my cousin's adopted son who has finally arrived in their eager household after seven years of waiting. I am knitting him some pullovers since my cousin asked so very nicely. ;-)

    Have a wonderful weekend.

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  2. I've always found cranberries a little sour, but i love the idea of mixing them with sugar and spice and all things nice.

    A great top tip -

    Nina x

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  3. I couldn't think of a more pleasant way of doing homework than at a kitchen table with the smell of cranberries circulating the room! :)
    Vivienne x

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  4. Looks yummy, will try this out. Thanks!

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  5. I love cranberries, aside from the tastes, it have many health benefits to the body as well as coconut oil. I read an article about it and boom! I quickly switch to it.

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  6. Hi Kate, that looks like a lovely recipe with ingredients that work so well together. Some of the recipes I have read are way too exotic for my taste buds and therefore are just too risky to make for my family at Christmas time. Have a great weekend.

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  7. I am thinking I could eat a jar of this yummy pretty cranberry joy....off to buy cranberries...xoxoox Hugs

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  8. mmmm likes jewels in a jar x

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  9. Ooh, how lovely Kate...and they will make such special and pretty gifts too!...I really have to visit Pinterest...it seems to be full of so much inspiration!
    Hope you have a lovely Sunday,
    Susan x

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  10. We have made membrillo, which is lovely with cheese - but we have already started eating it!

    Pomona x

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  11. looks delicious and very organised!

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