Apple Ginger Cranberry Sauce

Apple Ginger Cranberry Sauce

Recipe: 

1 (12 oz) bag fresh cranberries, picked over

2 tbsp sugar

4 tbsp (1/4 c) agave nectar

2 apples (golden delicious, gala, or another sweet variety)

10 oz unsweetened apple juice

1 to 2 inches fresh ginger, grated

Pinch of salt

1 tbsp glazed orange or lemon zest

Bring all ingredients to a boil, lower heat. Cook on low until all berries burst. Use a stick blender partially blend the mixture, leaving some chunks for texture. Continue cooking on low until desired thickness. 

Note: you may find this a bit tart if so add more sugar or agave to your liking.

Now for the pics: 

Cranberry Tea

I got this cranberry tea in a can on a road trip. Normally, I'm not a tea-in-a-can fan, but it will do in a pinch. After tasting this, I decided it was ok, but it could be great.  I read the ingredients on the can as a reference. So, off to the kitchen we go.....

For half a gallon (almost 2L) I used:

• 2 large tea bags
• 1 Splenda quick pack
• 1 small (10 oz.) bottle of 100% cran-grape juice
• about 1/2 c. apple juice (I didn't measure just poured)
• the juice from 1/2 a lemon, hand-squeezed. 
• Bottled water to fill to the top
• Crushed ice 

Start by brewing your tea. Heat the water, add tea bags let steep about 5 min. Pour all ingredients but the water into the pitcher, give it a stir. Add plenty of ice, and top off with the bottled water, and give another stir. Yes, you can use tap water, but I live in a place where it's unbearable/unthinkable to drink.

In retrospect, I would have left out the splenda or used about 1/2 the packet. This came out way to syrupy sweet for me.  So I guess I will try again later :)  

Sweet Carrot Slaw

This salad was so yummy! I need to share the recipe. The original recipe is found on Serious Eats. I made a few changes, and I really want to record the recipe. I actually intended to make the original, but I used what I had on hand. 

For the dressing you need:

• 2 tbsp. Olive Oil
• 1 tsp. red wine vinegar
• The zest and juice of 1 small lemon
• 2-3 oz. orange juice
• 2 tbsp. honey
• 1 tbsp. sugar 
• 1/2 tsp. salt (or to taste)
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
• Fresh ground pepper to taste

Other ingredients:

• 1 (10 oz.) bag Sweet Carrot Slaw*
• 3 scallions (green onion), finely chopped
• 1/2 c. Craisins
• 1/4 c. toasted almonds

Whisk together the dressing in the salad bowl. Add the Sweet Carrot Slaw & scallions and toss. Cover and let set refrigerated for an hour. Toss in Crasins and toasted almonds and serve.

*Green Giant Sweet Carrot Slaw is shredded
carrot, broccoli, and red cabbage.

Kae's Naughty Cranberry Sauce

Well, After searching the internet for a great cranberry sauce recipe and much study, this is what I came up with.

Homemade Cranberry Sauce

Kae's Naughty Cranberry Sauce

1 (12oz) bag fresh cranberries
3/4 c. brown sugar
1/4 c. sugar
2 pieces candied ginger, minced (1 Tbsp. of fresh grated ginger would be good, too)
1 pear, peeled and chopped
1 apple, peeled and chopped
2 oz. rum ;)  <--that's the naughty part!
Just enough water to cover (I used about 3/4 cup)

I put everything in a large sauce pot and cooked until the cranberries started popping. Then, I took out a little bit of the fruit. Used a stick blender to puree the rest. I left it kind of chunky, cuz that's what I like. I added the reserved fruit back in for more texture. Taste it. You may want to add another 1/4 c. or so of white sugar. Simmer until it's a bit thicker. Remember it will thicken as it cools.
This made about 3 cups.