Spiced Cranberry Sauce

Spiced Cranberry Sauce Recipe | Vegan & Vegetarian | USA

Region / culture: USA | Servings: 6 |

Vegan diet

Introduction

Spiced Cranberry Sauce is a delicious and festive addition to any holiday meal. The combination of tart cranberries, sweet brown sugar, and warm spices creates a flavorful sauce that pairs perfectly with turkey, ham, or even as a topping for desserts.

History

Cranberry sauce has been a staple on Thanksgiving tables for centuries. Native Americans were the first to use cranberries in cooking, and early European settlers quickly adopted the fruit into their own culinary traditions. The addition of spices like cinnamon and allspice to cranberry sauce likely originated in the United States in the 19th century.

Ingredients

13 oz (369 g) package of fresh cranberries, rinsed, sorted and trimmed
1.38 cups raspberries, optional
2.38 cups cranberry juice, cold only
1.88 cups brown sugar only
2.25 tsp allspice
2.25 tsp cinnamon

How to prepare

In a large saucepan, preferably non-aluminum, bring all the ingredients to a boil. Then reduce the heat to medium and cook for 10 minutes.
Remove the saucepan from the heat, allow it to cool, and refrigerate until it is ready to be served.
Use the sauce as a dip and store any remaining fruit-based sauce in the refrigerator.

Variations

Add a splash of orange juice or zest for a citrusy twist.
Stir in chopped nuts or dried fruit for added texture.
Substitute maple syrup for brown sugar for a different flavor profile.

Cooking Tips & Tricks

Be sure to rinse, sort, and trim the fresh cranberries before using them in the recipe.

- Using a non-aluminum saucepan will prevent the sauce from taking on a metallic taste.

- Allow the sauce to cool before serving to allow the flavors to meld together.

Serving Suggestions

Serve Spiced Cranberry Sauce alongside roasted turkey or ham for a classic holiday meal. It can also be used as a topping for desserts like cheesecake or ice cream.

Cooking Techniques

The key to making a great cranberry sauce is to cook the ingredients together until the cranberries burst and the sauce thickens. Be sure to stir occasionally to prevent sticking.

Ingredient Substitutions

If fresh cranberries are not available, frozen cranberries can be used instead. You can also use apple juice or water in place of cranberry juice.

Make Ahead Tips

Spiced Cranberry Sauce can be made up to a week in advance and stored in the refrigerator. Simply reheat before serving.

Presentation Ideas

Garnish the sauce with fresh cranberries or a sprinkle of cinnamon for a festive touch. Serve in a decorative bowl or jar for a beautiful presentation.

Pairing Recommendations

Spiced Cranberry Sauce pairs well with savory dishes like roasted meats, but can also be served with sweet treats like pound cake or pancakes.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Store any leftover Spiced Cranberry Sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave before serving.

Nutrition Information

Calories per serving

Each serving of Spiced Cranberry Sauce contains approximately 120 calories.

Carbohydrates

Each serving of Spiced Cranberry Sauce contains approximately 25 grams of carbohydrates.

Fats

This recipe is low in fat, with less than 1 gram of fat per serving.

Proteins

There is negligible protein in Spiced Cranberry Sauce, with less than 1 gram per serving.

Vitamins and minerals

Cranberries are a good source of vitamin C and dietary fiber. This sauce also contains small amounts of calcium and iron.

Alergens

This recipe is gluten-free and nut-free. However, individuals with fruit allergies should avoid this sauce.

Summary

Spiced Cranberry Sauce is a low-fat, low-calorie side dish that is rich in vitamin C and fiber.

Summary

Spiced Cranberry Sauce is a flavorful and versatile condiment that is perfect for holiday meals. With a balance of tart and sweet flavors, this sauce is sure to be a hit with your family and friends.

How did I get this recipe?

The memory of finding this recipe for the first time is still fresh in my mind. It was many years ago, back when I was just a young girl, eager to learn the art of cooking from my own dear mother. We were preparing for Thanksgiving dinner, and my mother had tasked me with making the cranberry sauce.

I had never made cranberry sauce before, and I was both nervous and excited to try my hand at it. As I rummaged through my mother's collection of old recipe books, I stumbled upon a worn, tattered piece of paper tucked away in the back of one of the books. It was a recipe for Spiced Cranberry Sauce, handwritten in beautiful cursive handwriting.

I was immediately drawn to the recipe, as it seemed to be a departure from the traditional cranberry sauce recipes I had seen before. The addition of warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg intrigued me, and I knew I had to give it a try. I asked my mother about the recipe, but she had no recollection of where it had come from. It seemed to have mysteriously appeared in her recipe collection, just waiting to be discovered.

I set to work, following the instructions on the piece of paper with care and precision. I simmered the cranberries with sugar, water, and a hint of orange juice until they burst open and released their ruby red juices. Then, I added in the warm spices, watching as the sauce transformed into a fragrant, spicy concoction that danced on my taste buds.

When it was finally time to taste the finished sauce, I couldn't believe how delicious it was. The tartness of the cranberries was perfectly balanced by the sweetness of the sugar and the warmth of the spices. It was like nothing I had ever tasted before, and I knew I had stumbled upon a gem of a recipe.

Over the years, I have made this Spiced Cranberry Sauce countless times, each time tweaking the recipe slightly to suit my own taste. I have shared it with friends and family, who always rave about its unique flavor and beg me for the recipe. But the truth is, I still have no idea where it came from. It's as if the recipe itself wanted to be found, to be shared and enjoyed by generations to come.

As I sit here now, preparing for another Thanksgiving dinner, I can't help but smile as I think back on that fateful day when I discovered the recipe for Spiced Cranberry Sauce. It has become a beloved tradition in our family, a dish that we all look forward to enjoying every year. And though I may never know where the recipe came from, I am grateful for its presence in my life, and for the joy it brings to those who taste it.

So as I stir the cranberries on the stove, the warm spices mingling with the tart fruit, I am filled with a sense of nostalgia and gratitude. I may not have all the answers, but I do have this wonderful recipe, a reminder of the magic and mystery that can be found in the simple act of cooking. And for that, I am truly thankful.