Holiday Cranberry Sauce

When it comes to cranberry sauce in my family there are lines drawn in the sand on this topic. I love making homemade cranberry sauce and my mom loves the canned cranberry sauce and while it's not my cup of tea, it always has a place on our holiday table...rings and all.

When I created this recipe I wanted something different from the standard cranberry sauce. I've been making this every Thanksgiving and Christmas since before my son was born. It is always a hit and tastes even better the next day. Its great warm or cold and delicious on turkey sandwiches. The apple and the Grand Marnier add that extra something to the sauce. If you are opposed to using a liquor you can always leave it out. The orange juice and zest mingled with the Saigon cinnamon and nutmeg leave you entire house smelling delicious.

Here's what you will need:

1 bag fresh cranberries, rinsed

1 cup water

1 cup bakers sugar

1/4 cup Grand Marnier

1 chopped apple

1 orange, juiced & zested

1/2 lemon, juiced

1 teaspoon Saigon cinnamon

1 teaspoon nutmeg, freshly grated

Directions:

Zest and juice one whole orange, half of a lemon and chop up a whole apple. Additionally, if you like nuts and raisins you can also add a cup of toasted pecans and 1/2 cup of raisins.
Combine 1 cup of sugar and 1 cup of water in a saucepan and bring it to a boil. Add your rinsed cranberries to the saucepan.
Return to a boil, then lower the heat so the liquid simmers. You will hear the cranberries start to pop as they begin to cook down.
Once they stop, add 1 cup chopped apples, a 1/4 cup of Grand Marnier, the orange juice, lemon juice and zest you prepped earlier along with 1 teaspoon Saigon cinnamon and 1 teaspoon of freshly grated nutmeg.
Cook for about 15 mins. Remove from heat and let sauce cool. Transfer to a serving dish and place in refrigerator until ready to serve. Can be served cold or at room temperature.