Orange Cranberry Sauce

     I just love the color of fresh cranberry sauce!  It always has such a vibrant magenta jewel tone.  Plus I love the magic of taking tart berries and making them into something so special.  It is fun to watch them pop and have the whole thing thicken up right in front of your eyes.  I also love the combination of cranberry and orange.  They were just meant to go together! The cinnamon stick adds just a little flavor and makes it smell wonderful while it is cooking.  This whole combination definitely screams holiday!

      If the only cranberry sauce you have ever had came out of a can, be prepared to love this fresh version.  This sauce is plenty sweet for your dinner table, but feel free to up the sugar a bit if you are used to having a really sweet sauce.  

For another great fruity sauce, check out my recipe for cranberry applesauce.  It is great for Thanksgiving, but is also wonderful with pork, chicken, oatmeal and more!

Orange Cranberry Sauce

Ingredients:

1 cup orange juice

12 oz fresh cranberries

3/4 cup sugar (use a full cup for a sweeter sauce)

1 cinnamon stick

Some orange zest (optional)

1. Place all ingredients in a medium sauce pan.  
2. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring frequently for 15-20 minutes.
3. Remove cinnamon stick and serve at room temperature or chilled.