A Trip Through the Culinary Cranberry Bog - Nov 5, 2014

Before I start our trip through the Culinary Cranberry Bog, I want to thank all of you who have been ordering all kinds of products from Amazon.com via my blog link!  Many, many thanks!
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Can you believe it??  The holidays are bearing down on us!  Being here in the desert, I don't think about it approaching as quickly as it is because the weather stays the same....warm/sun, warm/sun, warm/sun, warm/sun.  For at least the next 10 days it will be between 84-90* and not a cloud in the sky.  But, the days are ticking down to Thanksgiving nonetheless!

I don't know about you, but when I think about Thanksgiving and the December holidays, I think "cranberries"!  

As some of you may know,  not too long ago, in my former life, I was a personal chef. Singles, couples, families, seniors...I had a very broad spectrum of clients with all kinds of likes and dislikes.  I was always coming up with recipes that would offer something seasonal.  I thought you might enjoy some recipes here in my blog from time to time. And yes, I can...and do....prepare these recipes in the RV!  It's no different than cooking in a 'house' -- well...except there's a bit (a lot!) less counter space.  But, that hasn't stopped me!  

So, today, I have a few cranberry recipes to share with you.  I like cranberries so much, I buy lots of bags of cranberries now, when they are in season, and keep them in the freezer all year long...these dishes are good year 'round!  I love the color of cranberries.  Have I ever mentioned that one of my favorite colors is red??  The drapes in the RV are cranberry red!  

Let's start with a cranberry basic.  There's nothing better than homemade cranberry sauce!  Please don't serve canned sauce with your holiday meal....homemade is worlds apart from canned and sooooo easy to prepare!  Only three simple ingredients.  There are uses for canned cranberry sauce coming up, but this is what you will want to accompany your main meal! And it's really great on those leftover turkey sandwiches! OR spoon over a block of semi-softened cream cheese, sprinkled with some zested orange rind and serve with crackers!  So simple and delicious!  OR spoon it over cake and ice cream!

Homemade Cranberry Sauce

+ sugar and water!  That's it!  

1 (12 oz) bag fresh cranberries

1 cup sugar

2 cups water

Combine sugar and water in a medium sauce pan or deep skillet.  Bring to a boil.

Stir in the cranberries and mix well.  Bring to a boil then reduce heat and boil gently for 8-10 minutes until most all the berries *pop*.

Cool and pour into your serving dish.  Refrigerate until thickened.

This can be made several days in advance!

THE BEST cranberry sauce!

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Let's get our cranberry-inspired meal started by heading to the bar!  

What better way to get the holiday feeling started than with a cocktail!  

This cocktail is refreshing any time of year!

Cranberry Cocktail

2 oz. Vodka

4 oz. Cranberry Juice

2 oz. Ginger Ale

Fresh Mint (if available)

Ice Cubes

Stir juices together, pour over ice and garnish with fresh mint, a few fresh cranberries and lime slice

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And with cocktails or wine, there's always something to nibble on while your guests are mingling!  

Serve these meatballs with pita toasts and a veggie platter.  

Your guests will want this recipe!

Cranberry Meatballs

(To save time, I use frozen Italian meatballs, or you can always make your own from scratch.)

2 lbs. frozen meatballs

1 (16 oz) can jellied cranberry sauce

1 (8 oz) bottle barbeque sauce

2 Tbls brown sugar

1 Tbl lemon juice

Dash salt

In a mixing bowl, combine cranberry sauce, BBQ sauce, brown sugar, salt and lemon juice until thoroughly combined.  Place meatballs in slow cooker/crockpot and cover with sauce.  Cook on low 3-4 hours.  These can be made ahead and reheated!

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 With everyone around the table now, a well known appetizer...with a twist... is up next!

Shrimp with a Zesty Cranberry Cocktail Sauce

1 can jellied cranberry sauce (or preferably, home made!)

1/2 cup chili sauce

1 Tbls finely chopped onion

2 Tbls Worchestershire sauce

2 Tbls red wine vinegar

1 tsp prepared horseradish

Grated zest of one lemon

Combine all ingredients in a medium sauce pan.  Bring to boil on med-high heat, then reduce heat to low and simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens a bit.

Cool and refrigerate until cold and ready to serve.  Another "make ahead"!

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 On to the main course!  

This can be prepared with chicken or turkey.  I use thighs for more flavor, but you can use breasts -- with a little less cooking time.  Serve with oven roasted broccoli or brussels sprouts and roasted red potatoes garnished with rosemary for a pretty plate!

Cranberry Chicken

1 1/4 cups  all purpose flour

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

1 tsp each of any dried herbs/seasoning you have -- oregano, basil, garlic powder (I use them all!)

8-10 boneless, skinless chicken thighs

2 cups fresh/frozen cranberries 

1/4 cup butter + 2 Tbls set aside

1/4 cup olive oil

1 1/2 cups water

1 cup packed brown sugar

1 Tbls red wine vinegar (I used tarragon vinegar I had on hand)

Dash ground nutmeg (I also added a dash of pumpkin pie spice)

In a large zip lock bag, combine the flour, salt, pepper, and seasonings.  Dredge the chicken.  In a large skillet, brown chicken, in batches, in 1/4 c. butter and olive oil until browned on both sides,  Remove chicken and set aside.

In the same skillet, combine the cranberries, water, brown sugar, vinegar and nutmeg.

Cover and simmer for about 5 minutes.  Add reserved 2 Tbls butter.  Simmer, uncovered, until reduced a bit and thickened...about 20 minutes.  

Place chicken on top, cover, and simmer for about 40 minutes or until chicken is cooked through.  Remove chicken to platter (or plates) and spoon over cranberry mixture.  

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 An finally, a little dessert!

Top this cake with whipped cream, ice cream, home made cranberry sauce or bourbon sauce!  YUM!

Cranberry Pecan Sour Cream Loaf Cake

This is good for breakfast or with afternoon tea, too! 

2 cups all purpose flour

1 Tbls baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

1/2 cup sugar

1/4 cup butter, softened

1 egg, beaten

1 cup sour cream

1/4 cup orange juice

1 tsp freshly grated orange zest

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 cup chopped fresh cranberries

1/2 cup chopped pecans, toasted

Heat oven to 375*.  In a small mixing bowl combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt; set aside.  In a large mixing bowl add 1/2 cup sugar and butter.  Beat until creamy...about 1 minute. Add the egg, sour cream, orange juice, orange zest, and vanilla extract.  Continue beating, scraping bowl often, until creamy...about 1 minute. Add the flour mixture to the sour cream mixture and mix just until moistened.  Gently stir in the cranberries and pecans.  Spoon evenly into 3 greased 3x5 pans.  Sprinkle tops evenly with the remaining 1 Tbls sugar.  Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.  Cool for 10 minutes on wire rack.  Turn cake out of pans.  Cut into slices and serve with your favorite topping, if desired.

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I hope you will try these easy recipes.  I'm pretty confident you will love them and love sharing them with your family and friends!   

Bon appetit from the desert!