Hungry Howie: Cranberry Sauce

Remember when I was ambivalent about blogs? Back in August? Well, forget I ever said that. I love them now. I'm obsessed. I have a very long list of them that I read almost daily (I'll share soon) and any mundane activity I participate in becomes potential fodder for my blog. I love them so much I want to start another blog. Ferg and Jason W. suggested the perfect name for my second blog and I've been preoccupied by all of the potential posts floating around in my head ever since. Alas, I barely have enough time to maintain this blog, so maintaining a second would never actually happen. So, I've decided to add a periodic special feature called "Hungry Howie," (brilliant name, Ferg!) in which I detail my adventures in the kitchen.

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I'm sharing one of my favorite holiday recipes for this inaugural "Hungry Howie" post. Most people I encounter don't share my enthusiasm for cranberry sauce. I think it's because they've never tried mine. The congealed stuff from a can just can't compare (though, I admit I kind of love it too). The great secret about homemade cranberry sauce is that it's so easy and yet so exponentially better than anything you can buy. Plus, it's fantastic with leftovers. Around our house, it's a favorite addition to stuffing sandwiches. (Oh, yes, I said stuffing sandwiches. Nothing beats bread sandwiched by bread! Preferably with more bread on the side!)

The following is adapted from the recipe on most bags of fresh cranberries and Cook's Illustrated:

3/4 cup water

zest of 1 orange

1 cup sugar

1/4 tsp salt

1 12 oz bag cranberries

2 tbs orange liqueur (such as Triple Sec)
Chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)

Combine water, sugar, salt, and orange zest in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat, stirring occasionally. Add cranberries and return to a boil. Reduce heat to medium and simmer until thickened for about five minutes. Off heat, stir in liqueur and nuts. Refrigerate until ready to serve. (Can be made days in advance.)