No more boring cranberry sauce straight from the can! You know the sauce that slips out of the can molded in the shape of can. Here are two homemade cranberry sauces that I tried and your guests will love. Here is what is great about cranberry sauce. It is surprisingly easy to make and you can make it right now. Yes, right now! Cranberry sauce can be made up to a week ahead of time. If you are hosting Thanksgiving, go ahead, make your cranberry sauce, and mark it off the list.
Growing up I was not overly impressed with the actually Thanksgiving food. I had my favorite which is stuffing, and I love the holiday. I just did not have a full appreciation the food. Since I started my own family, I started trying different takes on Thanksgiving dishes. I have, with the help of You Tube, deboned a turkey and made stuffed turkey. I have made different types of stuffing, cranberry sauce, homemade rolls, and homemade pies. The last two years, I have hosted Thanksgiving, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I have not gained the experience to create my own recipes yet but I do have a few that I have tried and would recommend.
I am beginning with cranberry sauce because this dish is the first dish you can make and set aside. My mother thought I was crazy making homemade cranberry sauce, wondering why I would go through the trouble when I just use the canned sauce. However, I like a challenge, and I like homemade. In my experience, most homemade dishes are not as daunting as they sound. Cranberry sauce is one of those dishes. Thanksgiving is a big meal. Let’s be honest, there is a lot riding it. I looked for guidance, ideas, and recipes when planning my meal. I found two recipes in Food Network Magazine that should make the traditional cranberry sauce guests happy, and one recipe for those guests who are a tad more adventurous.
If you are looking for the more traditional jellied cranberry sauce, I recommend Jellied Cranberry Sauce with Hard Cider. This sauce is reminiscent of traditional sauce but with more flavor than you will find in a can. The fruity flavor of the cranberries really pop with a hint of tartness created by the cider and fruit. This sauce is a milder sauce that will not overpower. Although this sauce is flavorful, there are a few extra steps (extra dirty dishes) in this recipe. It is necessary once cooked to blend and strain the cranberries. It is still very doable and easy but not as hands off as the next recipe.
My favorite recipe is Mulled Cranberry Sauce. This recipe is an easy, one dish, hands off cranberry sauce. All of the ingredients go into on pot then you cook and done! I believe this sauce is more
flavorful than the jellied cranberry sauce. Essentially, it has my two favorite elements ease and flavor. Since it is not necessary to blend this sauce, there is an added element of texture since you don’t blend the cranberries which I enjoy more than the jellied sauce. This recipe has more robust flavor with a fuller, nuttier taste. This is definitely my favorite and I highly recommend.
Here are two great options if you are looking to step up your Thanksgiving game. There is an option for those who love tradition and those who like to experiment. Both recipes will take approximately 20 to 30 minutes to prepare and can be made a week ahead of time. Enjoy!
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