Cranberry Sauce

It's the red headed step-child of Thanksgiving, but it's tasty and something that just makes Thanksgiving, Turkey Day.  My mom and I have a pretty standard recipe that I tweaked a little bit because I like to, along with the added bonus of annoying my Mom by making a slightly different version of what she usually does. :)

Cranberry Sauce:

8 oz fresh cranberries
2/3 cup water
1/2 cup - 1 cup sugar (depending on how sweet you like it)
pinch of salt
cinnamon stick
2-3 pinches of allspice
zest of 1 orange

Add everything but the zest into a sauce pan.  Bring to a boil, taste for sweetness adding more sugar if you like.  Then add the zest and cook over low heat for 5-7 minutes.  Let cool and then refrigerate.  Serve with zested orange.

Thanksgiving!!

I couldn't be more excited for Thanksgiving   It's not only my favorite holiday, it's a meal I wish would be replicated more than once a year, sans calories of course.  Every year my mom and I cook the same meal and I can't get enough of it!  She will take care of all the baking, two kinds of pies.  I'll usually take care of the turkey, stuffing and side dishes to make it less work for her.

Sorry about the picture quality, only had my phone with me.

This past weekend we did a Friends Only Thanksgiving and had a great time.  Everyone brings a dish and we all have this pot luck style Thanksgiving dinner with lots of wine, football and no stress that La Familia sometimes bring.  I was responsible for the Turkey, a 23 pounder I aptly named Tessa.  I rubbed the inside and outside of her with Sage, Lemon, Salt and Pepper while also basting every 20 minutes.  She took about 3 hours but she was very tasty and juicy.

This Thanksgiving I will be celebrating with just my Parents.  The Boy is going home to the east coast for a few days and will be missed but we will have plenty of leftovers when he comes back.

I'll post some recipes later this week, especially my favorite - Stuffing and Sweet Potatoes.