One of our regular customers asked if I could reshare this recipe for my favorite cranberry sauce. And so, given it is the week many folks most likely think of cranberries - here it is. But, keep reading for another wonderful non-sauce recipe. As you may know, cranberries are my favorite fruit - so I have a lot of ways to use them! One of my favorites is in our Crane Berry Apple herbal tea blend - and it's also a crowd favorite, as it has become one of our best sellers! That makes me so happy - cranberries have so much to offer us. Other than cranberry sauce, most people think of cranberries for urinary tract infections. Did you know that cranberries have Vitamins B, C, E as well as calcium, iron, magnesium, phosporus, potassium and fiber? They are powerful antioxidants and can be added to baked goods, oatmeal, shakes, dressing, squash dishes; simply freeze the fresh berries and use them all year long!
WHITE BALSAMIC AND ROSEMARY CRANBERRY SAUCE
12 oz fresh cranberries
½ - ¾ cup granulated sugar
2 1/2 tablespoons water
2 rosemary sprigs
1 tablespoon white balsamic vinegar
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
DIRECTIONS
Reserve 1/2 cup cranberries.
Place the remaining cranberries, sugar, 2 1/2 tablespoons water, and rosemary sprigs in a saucepan over medium-low.
Cook 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Increase heat to medium-high; cook 8 minutes or until juices begin to thicken.
Remove pan from heat; stir in reserved 1/2 cup cranberries, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper.
If you aren’t as much of a fan of savory flavors in your cranberry dishes, then here is my well used, more traditionally sweet recipe - I honestly don’t know where it originally came from, and I’ve adjusted spices to fit my own preferences over the years, but this is definitely a wonderful herbal recipe for your table - I love this one, too! This recipe includes warming herbs (spices), which are great this time of year to help move your circulation along when it’s cold outside.
SPICED HERBAL CRANBERRIES
1 pound fresh cranberries
Juice from one orange
Zest from one orange, microplaned
1/4cup honey (you may want more, depending on your sweet tooth)
1-2 inch piece of fresh ginger, finely minced
1-2 cinnamon sticks
2 whole star anise
1/4 tsp ground cloves
1/4 tsp ground allspice
Pinch salt
DIRECTIONS
Combine all ingredients in a medium pot and bring to a boil.
Reduce the heat to the lowest setting, and simmer for about 30 minutes with a cover slightly ajar, until most of the cranberries have popped and the sauce has thickened.
Turn off the heat and cool to room temperature; then refrigerate until ready to serve.
Remove the cinnamon stick and star anise before serving.
From all of us here at Sweet Willow, we want to wish you the best holidays - whatever your cultural / religious / spiritual tradition may be - we wish for you good health and well-being, a strong community of support, and peace in the New Year. And, of course, good food and a cuppa herbal tea!
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