Cranberry Sauce

Cranberry sauce is one of my very favorite holiday foods. Of course, in America we usually serve it at Thanksgiving... but since there's no Thanksgiving in Britain (and thus no Thanksgiving at Hogwarts), it is served at Christmastime:

"Harry had never in all his life had such a Christmas dinner. A hundred fat, roast turkeys; mountains of roast and boiled potatoes; platters of chipolatas; tureens of buttered peas, silver boats of thick, rich gravy and cranberry sauce-- and stacks of wizard crackers every few feet along the table" (Sorcerer's Stone 203).

A year or so ago I found the most glorious recipe for cranberry sauce in a magazine, but I can't for the life of me recall which magazine it was. But regardless, today we shall make the very simple and very tasty Cranberry Pear Sauce.

You Will Need:

1/2 cup sugar

12oz fresh cranberries

3 Bosc pears, peeled, cored, and diced

1 tsp ground cinnamon

1/4 tsp ground nutmeg

1/4 tsp ground cloves

1 cup water

1/4tsp salt

1. In a large saucepan, combine the water, sugar, and salt. Bring to a boil and stir well, dissolving all the sugar.

2. Add the (washed) cranberries, pears, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Stir well to combine. 

3. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 25-30 minutes, until the cranberries have burst and the mixture is slightly syrupy.

4. Remove from the heat. Serve at room temperature or chilled.

(Makes eight 1/3cup servings)

This cranberry sauce is SOOOOO delicious. The perfect combination of sweet and tart, and it has way less sugar (and preservatives) than its canned companion. I highly recommend you give it a try this holiday season!