Thursday, November 22, 2012

Convoluted Cranberry Sauce

It's actually really easy to make, but how I got to it is a bit strange.

I found it via Neil Gaiman, who got it from Beat This! a hilarious cookbook (I read it cover to cover, laughing the entire way, but have made no other recipes.)

I've been attributing the orange juice to Neil. But now that I actually look up the post, apparently not. So here's how I make it. Two years in a row, and now it's a necessary part of the holiday for me.

1 lb fresh cranberries
2 c orange juice
1 1/2 c sugar
pinch of salt

Bring the orange juice to a boil. Stir in the remaining ingredients. To make a jelly that will set into a solid (what I got last year) boil for about 30 more minutes, stirring frequently and skimming the foam off. To get a more jelly jelly, something pourable but syrupy, simmer for 30-40 minutes. (what I did this year in hopes of not boiling over everywhere this time. ) Either way, you're waiting for it to get noticeably syrupy and reluctant to drop off the spoon. If you're determined to get a solid, do the ice water test (drop a bit in, see if it becomes solid.) Pour it into a wet mold (that's sitting in the bottom of the sink, because it WILL splash everywhere) refrigerate over night at least.