Cranberry Sauce Recipe and Serving Suggestions

Throughout the years, cranberries have been a big part of our American fall holiday menus. They have decorated Christmas cakes, featured in Jell-O molds and added a tart flavor to many holiday sweets. But the main role of the cranberry has been as a sidekick to the Thanksgiving and Christmas turkey. Most are familiar with that traditional can of jellied crimson, cut into slices and placed next to the turkey. But what about adding a simple and homemade touch to your holiday table? Cranberries are easy to work with and meld beautifully with orange. And the jewel colors of a homemade cranberry sauce in a crystal or glass bowl add a touch of elegance to any meal.

This simple recipe combines the traditional cranberries with a citrus orange element to make a sweet and tart accompaniment to any turkey. Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners tend to be some of the most labor intensive and time consuming meals of the year, and taking a few minutes to put together this incredibly easy side dish will bring a home made touch that takes very little time or effort. This sauce can be made a few days in advance and can remain refrigerated until it's time to serve.

Orange Cranberry Sauce

12 oz fresh or frozen cranberries

1 cup sugar

1 cup orange juice

1 teaspoon orange zest

Wash cranberries and remove any berries with defects. Take a large saucepan and combine orange juice and sugar. Heat mixture at medium high until boiling. Stir in cranberries and orange zest and bring again to a boil until you hear and see the cranberries pop. Remove from heat and refrigerate until serving.

This cranberry orange sauce can be served warm or cold.

Serving suggestions:

* Serve this sauce alone as a perfect complement to turkey, duck or chicken

* Warm the sauce slightly and pour over cinnamon or vanilla ice cream for a perfect autumn dessert combining creamy, sweet and tart flavors and textures.

* Add a tart surprising flavor to pumpkin or spice cake by spooning warmed sauce over the plate under the cake. Add a dollop of whipped cream to the top for another taste element.

* Use the sauce chilled spread over bread along with turkey, potatoes and stuffing for a leftover sandwich

* Puree the sauce and freeze in an ice cube tray. Serve the cranberry orange ice cubes in orange juice or a cosmopolitan for a festive detail.