Cranberry Sauce with Grand Marnier

Grand Marnier Cranberry Sauce (drunken cranberries)

We all know Cranberry sauce is available in a can. You open the can, plop a gob of red sauce into a bowl, and call it done. If that’s your style- enjoy. But what if I told you it could be better?

Much better?

Homemade cranberry sauce is so simple to make; yet for some reason it always gets “ohhhs” and “ahhs” at the table.

Good food is like that. It has the power to impress guests even if it’s as simple as the sauce that goes along side the main star of the show. We all appreciate a well roasted turkey, but it’s the details in the side dishes that take your dinner from same old, to “wow”.

Plus, I’m no turkey cookin’ expert, so even if it gets left in the oven a bit too long, at least there’s something to disguise the lack of skill. It’s all trickery at our table.

Look at that beautiful sauce. The consistency is a perfect gelled texture; with bits of whole cranberries to add just enough dimension. If you are the type of organized cook we all wish we were, this is a great dish to prepare a few days before your big turkey dinner. It holds up well in the fridge for a few days- and actually is even better cold anyways!

The ingredients are very simple: whole cranberries, sugar, water, Grand Marnier, and Christmas Tea (optional). Don’t have Grand Marnier? Tripple Sec works well too!

The tea has dried orange, and seasonal spices. It’s completely optional, but I like the extra hint of warm spices that it adds. Plus, it made my kitchen smell absolutely amazing while it was steeping… what’s not to love?

 

 

As this sauce gently simmers on the stove, you will hear the subtle “pop” of the cranberries. Maybe I need to get out more, but I always find this part entertaining.

Don’t forget to stir often at this stage- there’s a lot of sugar in this sauce, and sugar likes to burn.

Don’t worry though, it’s worth the extra stirring… this sauce is something to be proud of.

Grab a heavy bottomed pot, and let’s make this happen!

 

 

 

Curious about the tasseled tea towel/ hand towel  (assoc. link) I used for the pictures? They are available on Amazon.