Description
This vibrant Blood Orange Cranberry Sauce combines the tartness of fresh cranberries with the sweet and slightly bitter notes of blood orange juice and zest. Infused with warm cinnamon and a pinch of salt, this sauce is perfect for holiday meals or as a flavorful condiment to enhance your dishes.
Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients
- 12 oz fresh cranberries
- 1 cup blood orange juice
- 1 tbsp blood orange zest
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup water
- 1 cinnamon stick
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Rinse the fresh cranberries thoroughly and discard any shriveled or soft ones to ensure the best texture. Zest the blood orange carefully, then juice it to collect 1 cup of juice.
- Combine Ingredients: In a medium saucepan, add the cranberries, granulated sugar, blood orange juice, blood orange zest, water, cinnamon stick, and a pinch of salt. Stir gently to combine.
- Bring to Boil: Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a gentle boil, stirring occasionally to dissolve the sugar and prevent the cranberries from sticking to the pan.
- Simmer and Cook: Reduce the heat to medium-low. Allow the cranberries to cook, pop, and break down naturally, which should take about 10 to 15 minutes. Stir occasionally to ensure even cooking and to avoid burning.
- Remove Cinnamon Stick and Cool: After the cooking time, remove the cinnamon stick from the sauce. Let the sauce cool at room temperature; it will continue to thicken as it cools down.
- Chill for Serving: For best flavor and texture, chill the cranberry sauce before serving. This enhances the flavors and creates a perfect consistency.
Notes
- Use fresh cranberries for the best texture and flavor; frozen cranberries can be used but may require adjustment in cooking time.
- Adjust sugar quantity to taste depending on the sweetness of the blood oranges and personal preference.
- The sauce can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator for up to one week.
- Optional: Add orange segments or a splash of brandy for added depth of flavor.
