Raw cranberry sauce is a tangy and refreshing condiment that is often served as a side dish with holiday meals, particularly Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners. This raw version of cranberry sauce is made without cooking the cranberries, preserving their natural tartness. Here’s a simple recipe to make raw cranberry sauce:
Ingredients:
- 12 ounces (about 3 cups) fresh cranberries, washed and drained
- 1 medium orange, washed and zested
- 1/2 cup fresh orange juice (from the zested orange)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar (adjust to taste)
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey (optional, for added sweetness)
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional, for flavor)
Instructions:
- Prepare the Cranberries and Orange:
- Wash the fresh cranberries thoroughly and drain them in a colander. Set them aside.
- Zest the orange to obtain the orange zest, and then juice the orange to get fresh orange juice. Set both the zest and juice aside.
- Blend the Cranberries:
- Place the washed cranberries in a food processor or blender. Pulse them a few times until they are roughly chopped. You can choose how fine or coarse you want the cranberries to be, depending on your preference.
- Combine Ingredients:
- In a mixing bowl, combine the chopped cranberries, orange zest, fresh orange juice, granulated sugar, maple syrup or honey (if using), and ground cinnamon (if using). Stir everything together until well combined.
- Sweeten to Taste:
- Taste the raw cranberry sauce and adjust the sweetness according to your preference. You can add more granulated sugar or maple syrup/honey if you want it sweeter.
- Chill:
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate the raw cranberry sauce for at least 1-2 hours, or until it’s cold. Chilling allows the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken slightly.
- Serve:
- Once the raw cranberry sauce has chilled, it’s ready to serve. It pairs wonderfully with roasted turkey, chicken, ham, or as a flavorful side dish.
- Enjoy your Raw Cranberry Sauce!
This raw cranberry sauce is a delightful and vibrant addition to holiday meals. Its natural tartness pairs well with the sweetness of the orange and sugar, creating a balanced and refreshing condiment. Feel free to customize it by adding chopped nuts, diced apples, or other fruits for added texture and flavor.