Cranberry relish, a traditional American relish made from fresh cranberries, is often a staple at Thanksgiving dinners across the United States. The tartness of cranberries combined with the sweetness of sugar and the citrusy flavor of oranges creates a refreshing and flavorful side dish. This Easy Cranberry Relish recipe takes this classic dish to a new level by adding a crunchy twist – walnuts! Originating from the Native American culinary tradition, cranberries are a significant ingredient in American cuisine, symbolizing the bounty of nature’s harvest. Over the years, the cranberry relish has evolved and been adapted into various forms and flavors, but the essence remains the same – a celebration of simple and fresh ingredients. This recipe is not only easy to prepare, but it also offers a blend of flavors that are sure to delight your taste buds. Moreover, cranberries are packed with antioxidants and vitamin C, making this relish not just delicious but also nutritious. Whether you’re preparing for a Thanksgiving dinner or just need a tangy and sweet condiment for your meals, this cranberry relish recipe is a perfect choice.
Ingredients
- 2 small pkg. fresh cranberries
- 1 c. sugar (or more if you like)
- 1 whole orange
- walnuts
Relish Preparation
- In food processor, mix cranberries, sugar and whole orange (cutting it into 2 to 4 parts seems to work better).
- Mix ingredients in processor until chopped.
- Transfer mixture into a mixing bowl and add chopped walnuts.
- Chill and serve.
Calorie: 200
Total cooking time:15 minutes
Difficulty level: Easy
The Cranberry Catastrophe
Let’s set the mood. It’s Thanksgiving Eve, and I’m knee-deep in groceries, scattered recipes, and a daunting sense of dread. My task? The intimidating journey of crafting Easy Cranberry Relish. I mean, it had the word ‘easy’ in it, how hard could it be?
Shopping Shenanigans
First things first, I had to conquer the grocery store. Picture a woman with a wild look in her eyes, wrestling with a mountainous shopping cart, in a desperate search for fresh cranberries. After a brief stand-off with an elderly lady over the last two small packets — which I won, by the way — I emerged victorious. Next on the list: sugar, a whole orange, and walnuts. Simple enough, right? If only. Let’s just say there were a few close calls in the produce section and a minor incident involving a walnut avalanche (note to self: use the scooper next time).
The Process(ing) Predicament
So, there I was, back in my kitchen, armed with my food processor and a sense of false confidence. The recipe was straightforward: mix the cranberries, sugar, and the whole orange (sliced into 2 to 4 parts for ease) in the food processor. But let me tell you, no one ever talks about the cranberry escape artists. Those little red devils were ricocheting off kitchen walls like popcorn in a hot pan.
The Mixing Mishap
Once I managed to wrangle the wayward cranberries, it was time to transfer the mixture to a mixing bowl and add the chopped walnuts. Now, chopping walnuts sounds easy until you realize they’re as slippery as tiny, edible hockey pucks. After chasing them around my chopping board and realizing my cat has a new found love for walnuts, I managed to get a reasonable amount into the bowl.
Chill and (Try to) Serve
Finally, all that was left was to chill and serve. Easy, right? Wrong. My cranberry relish had taken on a life of its own. It was like trying to contain a delicious, fruity blob. But after some strategic spoon maneuvering and a fair amount of pleading, I managed to get it into a serving dish and into the fridge.
The Culinary Conclusion
So, what’s the moral of this culinary tale? Always respect the cranberry. And maybe, just maybe, don’t leave your Thanksgiving cooking to the last minute. But hey, despite the cranberry chaos and walnut woes, my Easy Cranberry Relish was a hit. Plus, I had a heck of a story to tell.
And at the end of the day, isn’t that what cooking is all about? The stories we create, the laughter we share, and the delicious, delicious mistakes we make along the way. So, here’s to the culinary catastrophes, the kitchen misadventures, and the joy of making something truly delicious. Happy cooking, my friends!
