Sunday, November 30, 2014

Rooibos Cranberry Sauce


As I was finishing up my Thanksgiving cranberries and enjoying 
a cup of chai, I thought the chai flavors would work realy well with the
cranberries.  So I dunked a rooibos teabag in the bowl of hot cranberries
and left it in for about 10 minutes.  I was really pleased with the results.

I thought I'd make another batch by making the chai first and using
it as part of the liquid in the cranberries.  Here how it goes:


Ingredients:

12 oz. bag of cranberries
3/4 cup of strong chai rooibos*
3/4 cup of orange juice
One cup sugar
Pinch of salt




*Make chai rooibos using 3/4 cup of boiling water with
two teabags of chai rooibos.  I used Yogi brand.



Combine all ingredients in a saucepan and bring to a boil.



Reduce heat and simmer about 10 minutes until thickened.



Pour into a bowl and bring to room temperature.
Cover and refrigerate when cooled.




The spices in the chai are subtle but add a warm, almost
floral quality to the cranberries.

I love cranberries and will eat all I can for the rest of the year.
I always make extra and enjoy them on toast (or even on ice cream)
after all the Thanksgiving leftovers are all gone.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend
with their family and friends.  Let the holidays begin!

35 comments:

  1. Delish, of course.

    I too love cranberries and wish there were more of a staple.

    I always like a spicy cranberry salsa...

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    Replies
    1. Cough up the recipe for said salsa!

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    2. Cranberry sauce looks oh, so tempting. will be making his recipe soon.

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  2. This sounds wonderful, and I am going to have to make it. Now I'm going to "shame" you a bit lol......because as Joan would say I have "an eagle eye" you live in Massachusetts and you're using cranberries from Wisconsin, for Thanksgiving? This just seems wrong somehow. When I think Massachusetts I think Pilgrims, First Thanksgiving, Boston, Brimfield Antiques, Tea, and Cranberries. Now with that said, I'm going to make some toast and smear it with my leftover Massachusetts cranberry sauce. Happy Thanksgiving Steve!

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    Replies
    1. I know. I know. I asked a friend to pick me up a bag and that's what I got. I can't believe we actually allow those in the state.

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  3. Hi, Steve,

    I've never thought of cranberries on toast — what a great idea!!

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  4. Mmm...and pancakes too! Loves me relish!! franki

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  5. Why didn't my comment come through? I said that I've said it before: you are a talented food photographer, Steve. It's hard to take good pics of food ... lots of them look like porn!

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  6. how on earth did you come up with this?! a must try
    have you ever heated maple syrup in a saucepan tossed with fresh cranberries? as they pop, they flavor the syrup to a relish blend for pancakes, waffles, ice cream......

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    Replies
    1. Maple syrup? Cranberries? I haven't heard of that but it sounds amazing. I gotta get another bag of berries and give it a try. On Franki's pancakes.

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  7. We didn't have turkey this year, went with duck instead so I didn't make my cranberry citrus sauce (even though I'm sure it would have gone nicely with duck) but I have a bag there to make; I'm like you, love it on toast. This sounds delicious!

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    Replies
    1. Ooooo...daring. How did you like the duck? Do you feel you missed on something? I didn't have any pumpkin pie and I really feel like I missed out on part of Thanksgiving. I did a southwest Thanksgving a few years ago. Potato-poblano au gratin and sweet potato tacos with chile-ancho-maple glaze and I was nearly hanged. My friends don't want me messing with the traditional fare.

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  8. Cranberries on ice cream? As someone that hoards cranberry sauce anytime it’s on the table, I’m thinking I’ll have to try that. Nothing can touch the cran-apple pie that I make though.

    I have friends with bogs and have even jumped in thigh deep water to help pick them (you can wet pick them (fill the bog with water and they float) or dry pick them (use a machine). I told my friend he was like Tom Sawyer after telling me how much fun it was to move acres of them around with a rake. It was a good experience though.

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    Replies
    1. Cranberries on ice cream is probably the same concept as cranapple pie with that sweet/tart thing going on. I've seen your pies and I'll bet that's amazing!

      I'd love to pick cranberries sometime. I think it would be fun to be in the bog...at least once!

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  9. I'm not super big on cranberries, but I do have a sour cream, cranberry, walnut and jello salad that believe it or not, is crazy good.

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    Replies
    1. My mom ruined jello for me. At Thanksgiving we had lime jello with shredded cabbage, carrots, pineapple and (gulp) mayo! I do like the idea of tempering cranberries with some sour cream though. That could be really good.

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  10. We love cranberries in our home, too. Ina added a Granny Smith apple, peeled and cored, to her cranberry sauce years ago on her TV program. The apple cooks down with cranberries and the added pectin thickens the sauce up. We prefer it that way. It would be ideal for your toast.

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    Replies
    1. I've heard of that but I've never done it. It sounds really good so I'll definitely give it a try.

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  11. Steve this sounds so delish. I love any cranberry sauce with orange in it and now with the Chai, can't wait to make this as a spread!

    xoxo
    Karena
    The Arts by Karena



    !

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  12. Steve
    This sounds wonderful. I always prepare a raw cranberry relish but this sounds like a wonderful addition to Christmas morning! I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving..on to Christmas!!

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  13. I don't remember how I stumbled upon your blog to begin with but I have been enjoying every post! It feels like a visit to your cottage each time. I tried the cranberry sauce recipe. I can definitely detect the spice, it adds a nice note.

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  14. Yummo! My mom always puts cranberry sauce on toast too...kindred spirits!

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  15. Steve, never would have thought of the marriage of cranberries and chai! Am so ready to try this and love the suggestion of cranberry-topped ice cream. My husband will be thrilled with these new twists...

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  16. Yummy! Never been one to make my own cranberry sauce (my sister does and I enjoy hers). Perhaps this is the incentive I need to give it a try.

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  17. My mother made a cranberry salad that my sister and I still prepare. It uses cherry Jell-o as the base for the cooked cranberries with crushed pineapple, chopped nuts, and unpeeled chopped apple. It doesn't feel like Thanksgiving or Christmas without it!

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  18. Yum yum yum! I adore cranberries. I love that you're an inventive and curious cook. I find the most interesting people are good cooks.
    xo Terri

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  19. Hi Steve, Looking forward to your next post! Did you find a suitable Christmas tree yet?

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  20. two words: cranberry up-side-down cake. well, maybe five words.

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  21. I don't know how I missed this post but that sounds wonderful. Reminds me of a Christmas cranberry punch I made one year for a party. I simmered cloves and cinnamon sticks in a large bottle of cranberry juice. When it cooled I added 2 liters of ginger ale and a fifth of Captain Morgan spiced rum. It tasted like Christmas and disappeared at an alarming rate.

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  22. It"s official: I am now a cranberry sauce on toast addict. Your recommendation for ice cream topping may further this addiction. Thanks for putting a new twist on my breakfast routine.

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  23. Blogging is the new poetry. I find it wonderful and amazing in many ways.

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