su-Pure and Simple Cranberry Sauce Image

Photo: Romulo Yanes; Styling: Claire Spollen

Yields Makes 2 1/2 cups (serving size: 2 tbsp.) Total Time 30 mins
AuthorAngela Brassinga

Nothing on your Thanksgiving menu is easier than cranberry sauce, whether you keep it classic or spice it up.

How to Make It

Step 1
1

Put all ingredients with 1/4 cup water in a medium saucepan. Simmer over low heat, stirring often, until most of the cranberries have popped, 10 to 15 minutes. Add sugar and salt to taste if you like.

Step 2
2

Make ahead: Up to 1 week, chilled.

Step 3
3

VARIATIONS

Step 4
4

Cranberry and Blenheim Apricot Sauce: To the saucepan of combined ingredients above, add 4 oz. coarsely chopped dried Blenheim apricots (available at well-stocked grocery stores and brfarms.com), 6 each juniper berries and crushed allspice berries, 1/4 tsp. ground cloves, 1 whole bay leaf, juice and zest of 1 large orange, and an additional 1/4 cup water. Simmer and season as directed above.

Step 5
5

Cranberry Apple Sauce: To the saucepan of combined ingredients above, add 3 oz. coarsely chopped dried apples, 3 crushed allspice berries, 1/4 tsp. ground cloves, 1/8 tsp. ground cardamom, 1 whole cinnamon stick, the juice and zest of 1 medium lemon, and an additional 1/2 cup water. Simmer and season as directed above.

Ingredients

 1 pound fresh or frozen cranberries
  About 3/4 cup sugar
  About 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
 1 tablespoon orange zest

Directions

Step 1
1

Put all ingredients with 1/4 cup water in a medium saucepan. Simmer over low heat, stirring often, until most of the cranberries have popped, 10 to 15 minutes. Add sugar and salt to taste if you like.

Step 2
2

Make ahead: Up to 1 week, chilled.

Step 3
3

VARIATIONS

Step 4
4

Cranberry and Blenheim Apricot Sauce: To the saucepan of combined ingredients above, add 4 oz. coarsely chopped dried Blenheim apricots (available at well-stocked grocery stores and brfarms.com), 6 each juniper berries and crushed allspice berries, 1/4 tsp. ground cloves, 1 whole bay leaf, juice and zest of 1 large orange, and an additional 1/4 cup water. Simmer and season as directed above.

Step 5
5

Cranberry Apple Sauce: To the saucepan of combined ingredients above, add 3 oz. coarsely chopped dried apples, 3 crushed allspice berries, 1/4 tsp. ground cloves, 1/8 tsp. ground cardamom, 1 whole cinnamon stick, the juice and zest of 1 medium lemon, and an additional 1/2 cup water. Simmer and season as directed above.

Pure and Simple Cranberry Sauce

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