Most people are scared of fresh cranberries, don't you think? I see them more in centerpiece decoration than in food during the holidays. And to me, that's a true shame. Cranberries are fantastic, you just have to know what to do with them!
My Mom has literally made cranberry relish every single Thanksgiving and Christmas of my entire life. It's easy, delicious and unequivocally festive. It stays good for weeks and you can eat it on almost anything. On what, you ask? Well...
I love eating cranberry relish on top of warm, creamy oatmeal in the morning. I once did this while wearing flannel pajamas and watching the first snowfall of the year. I felt like I was in a movie.
Another
favorite in my house is cranberry relish on top of
buttered and
toasted angel food cake. Yes, it's a dessert, but I also eat this for breakfast. Can you believe I made all of this
lovely vanilla custard to drizzle on top of the cake in my photo and forgot to use it?
And of course, cranberry relish belongs smack-dab on top of your Thanksgiving turkey. I actually prefer it to gravy. I could go on and on! Okay I will, but only for a bit longer. I also eat cranberry relish in sandwich wraps, with crackers and sharp cheddar cheese and I stir it into the batter when making muffins. Hopefully you will come up with your own traditions for my favorite holiday food. Happy Thanksgiving!
Cranberry Relish:
1 bag fresh cranberries (10oz or 16oz will do)
1 orange
1 Fuji apple
1 cup walnuts*
1 1/4 cups white sugar*
Slice orange (skin, pith and all!) and apple into quarters. Remove any seeds or stems. Pulse one ingredient at a time (except for sugar) in a food processor or blender until you have pieces the size of shelled pistachios. Mix everything together with sugar in a large bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and let sit overnight before serving.
* I buy baking walnuts so I don't have to put them in the food processor at all.
* The original recipe calls for more sugar. I usually start with one cup and then add more the next day if needed. Remember: you can always add sugar but you can't take any out!
