Spiced Cranberry Relish
I love cranberries...cranberry anything is good for me! I love them in smoothies, baked goods, juice and, especially in this relish. To me, there is nothing better than the sweet, tangy taste of this sauce paired up with pork, poultry or game meat...pack this relish in antique canning jars to put into gift baskets this Christmas, with a bottle of wine, crackers and some brie cheese...if anybody is wondering, I like crackers, cranberry relish and brie cheese...hold the wine...maybe a nice bottle of sparkling apple juice...only if anyone was wondering though! :)
To make this festive relish, you will need fresh or frozen cranberries, an apple, dried apricots, orange juice, water, granulated sugar, the zest of 1 orange, nutmeg and cloves.
Pour 2 cups of fresh or frozen cranberries into a medium sized saucepan,
...then add a 1/2 cup of orange juice,
a 1/2 cup of water...
3/4 cup of granulated sugar...
...a 1/2 cup of chopped, dried apricots...
...the zest of 1 orange...use the fine zest panel on your cheese grater (unless you like a more coarse zest),
...and 1 medium sized apple, peeled and shredded.
Next, add 1/4 tsp. of ground cloves...
...and a 1/4 tsp. of ground nutmeg.
Simmer on the stove over medium heat, stirring occasionally to avoid scorching...the cranberries will sputter and pop as they heat up, so be careful those little buggers don't burn you!
When the relish, begins to thicken, use a potato masher to break up some of the cranberries that haven't popped and caused you 3rd degree splatter burns.
Continue to simmer until some of the liquid has evaporated and the relish has thickened some...if it seems a little watery at this stage, don't panic and throw your arms up into the air, asking God why you follow this website...it will set up as it cools! :)
Pour the relish into glass jars and cool completely.
Store in the fridge until ready to use.
A fine pairing with a French Canadian Tourtiere...a condiment fit for a King...or for us peasants! Lol!
Spiced Cranberry Relish
2 cups of fresh or frozen cranberries
1/2 cup of water
1/2 cup of orange juice
3/4 cup of granulated sugar
1/2 cup of chopped, dried apricots
1 medium sized apple, peeled and shredded
the zest of 1 orange
1/4 tsp.of ground cloves
1/4 tsp. of ground nutmeg
In a medium saucepan, add all of the ingredients together and stir until combined. Simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally until the cranberries start to pop...at this point, use a potato masher to break up some of the whole cranberries...continue to simmer until it has thickened up some (the mixture will thicken up more as it cools)...pour into glass canning jars and cool completely. Store in the fridge until ready to use...Enjoy! :)
Makes about three 250 ml. jars