Cranberry and Dried Cherry (with a jigger of gin!) Sauce.

This easy to make sauce is one you will want to remember. Cranberry and Dried Cherry (with a jigger of gin!) Sauce is not just for the holidays or to eaten with only turkey. Why? Because the rich fruity flavor goes well with roasted or baked poultry, pork and ham! No matter when you serve it!

Once you see the cranberry harvest begin, you will remain fascinated with cranberries.

For a few years we lived on the upper peninsula in the state of Washington. In Ocean Park Washington to be exact. One of the major crops after seafood is cranberries. There is nothing more interesting than to watch the cranberry harvest each year. The bogs are flooded and the cranberries are floated off the bushes to be scooped up and loaded into large trucks. I looked forward to the harvest each year and used that it as inspiration to create and cook up some new recipes. Cranberry and Dried Cherry (with a jigger of gin!) Sauce came out of the kitchen, during one of those harvests.

Since only available for a limited time, we like a few bags in the freezer for later.

Cranberries seem to be some what neglected, once the holidays are over. They are desired and sought out for holidays and then, not so much for the rest of the year. I try to put a few bags of cranberries away in the freezer each year to make sure I have them to enjoy throughout the year. Because it turns out, we use them in quite a few recipes. From a delicious liqueur, to preserves and of course desserts. But this Cranberry and Dried Cherry (with a jigger of gin!) Sauce has always been a favorite, and it was then I decided that it was time to write it down!

The perfect flavor element in this sauce is...bitter.

The one flavor element we do not use much of here in the U.S. is bitter. But bitter has its place and this sauce is a delicious way to include a pleasurable bitter flavor element to your meal. Don't worry it is only mildly bitter, and in such a delicious way, that you will enjoy it. I promise! Cranberry and Dried Cherry (with a jigger of gin!) Sauce will go with just about any roasted meat you plan on serving, from chicken and turkey to pork and ham.

You may find that frozen berries cook up, very nicely, but might not "pop" as fresh cranberries will. There is a simple fix however, after cooking, simply use a potato masher to break open the berries, give a quick stir and a thick sauce will form just like when cooking with fresh berries. Cranberries are full of good for you pectin, and the sauce becomes thick, naturally.

Some additional thoughts on this recipe:

Don't let the Gin scare you. The alcohol cooks out, and what is left behind is a mild herbal taste that pairs well with the cranberries.

This sauce is quick to make, because cranberries cook in just a few minutes.

You can save time by cutting the dried cherries the day before...

Yes, you should double the recipe, because this sauce freezes nicely!

Ingredients needed for this recipe:

cranberries
gin
sugar
dried cherries
salt
water

You will also need the following:

medium sized saucepan with lid
kitchen scissors
measuring cups
potato masher
serving dish or storage jar with lid

Now we are ready to begin!

Cranberry and Dried Cherry (with a jigger of gin!) Sauce

by the seat of my pants!

UPDATED: 11.24.2024

1 pound fresh or frozen cranberries

1/2 c dried cherries

3/4 c sugar

dash of salt

1/2 c water

1 jigger of gin

Using kitchen scissors, cut the cherries in half and place in the medium sized saucepan.

Add the remaining ingredients, bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium, cover with the lid and simmer 10-15 minutes.

If the cranberries do not "pop" after 15 minutes, use a potato masher to break apart the berries and create a sauce.

Let cool briefly, then transfer to a serving bowl of storage jar, and refrigerate until serving time.

Storage options for Cranberry and Dried Cherry (with a jigger of gin!) Sauce. Store in the refrigerator for up to a week. You may freeze the sauce for longer storage, let thaw in the refrigerator.

UPDATE: For your convenience, a "copy and paste" version of Cranberry and Dried Cherry (with a jigger of gin!) Sauce has been included below.

You may also enjoys:

Pear and Cranberry Crumble.

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