Apple Cranberry Sauce

Wednesday, November 24, 2010 in Food, Fruit, Holidays, Sauces, Jams, and Condiments

Yet another thing that’s deceptively simple to whip up on your own: Homemade cranberry sauce. So much better than a can-shaped blob, this cranberry sauce recipe unites cranberries with a natural counterpart, apples. Add ground cinnamon and cloves, and not only will your turkey and stuffing have a delicious companion, but your house’ll smell divine, too.

As a person with pets for most of my life, I feel as though I can share a secret fear of pet owners everywhere.

We are really, really, really worried our houses reek – especially because we usually have no idea if they actually do.

See, we’ve totally been there. We’ve stepped inside the cat lady’s house and felt our noses sting. We’ve been next door where the big stinky dog lives, and we lived the telltale eye-watering stench.

Heck, my dear sweet departed Angel was a big stinky dog, especially toward the end when I was afraid to bathe her because of her bad hips. When my friend’s adorable four-year-old exclaimed last summer, “She smells like hair!” I was pretty sure my fear of the reeking house had likely become a reality. Even before that, I’d take measures far beyond lighting candles and Arm & Hammer Pet Fresh. I’d be lying if I said I never sprinkled my beloved rose-scented Lush body powder all over Angel and frantically rubbed it into her gnarly hair right before company was due.

What does this have to do with Apple Cranberry Sauce, you ask? Well, Apple Cranberry Sauce simmering on the stove has a beautiful side effect. It makes your house smell like heaven. Like a freshly-baked apple pie served on fine linen with Brad Pitt by your side in heaven.

So light your candles, sprinkle the Pet Fresh, and for God’s sake bathe the dogs if you can. And then whip up some Apple Cranberry Sauce right before company arrives, just as your extra insurance against worry and stealth stench.

And have a Happy Thanksgiving.

Here’s the recipe!

Print this recipe

Apple Cranberry Sauce

Ingredients:

1 cup apple cider
1 apple – a tart variety like Granny Smith or McIntosh is best, peeled, cored, and diced
3 cups fresh cranberries, washed
2/3 cup sugar (plus possibly a little more, to taste)
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
Zest of one small lemon (about 1 teaspoon)

Directions:

Add all ingredients to a medium saucepan.
Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce the temp to medium-low and simmer until the berries have burst and the mixture has thickened, about 10-15 minutes.
Let cool, and then enjoy!