Cranberry, Cherry and Pear Chutney

Hi Everyone,

I was debating about whether to share today’s recipe with you or not.  It’s not because it doesn’t taste good, because it’s tastes fantastic, but it’s more of a Thanksgiving dish.  But then I thought about it and I spoke to others and they told me, it’s cranberries!  Christmas screams cranberries!  A lot of people have a big turkey dinner at Christmas and what goes perfect with turkey?  Cranberries!!!  You know what?   They are right and this chutney/sauce is to good not to share!

This chutney is amazing!  It’s thick, full of dark cherries, sweet pears and tart cranberries. It’s quite a perfect combination if I say so myself!!  Since cherries are out of season, I picked up a bag of frozen ones from Target.  For seasoning my sauce, I  used Trader Joe’s Orange Muscat Champagne Vinegar, brown sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg.  If you don’t have the Orange Muscat Champagne Vinegar, my guess is that a balsamic vinegar and freshly squeezed orange would work great too!!!  If you like cranberry sauce, I think you will like this one, it’s sweet but not overly sweet.  I’ll leave it to you for adding additional sugar.  I’m more of a fan of tart then I am sweet when it comes to dinner/side dishes.  I like sweet for more like cookies and cake!  :)

I have to tell you, I made this for my Thanksgiving dinner, last Thursday, however we actually never had our dinner until Sunday.  That’s what happens when it’s just the two of us!  We had a serving for 8 of cranberry sauce and a turkey that is 16lbs!  Needless to say we have been having turkey all week!  However, I’m not going to complain about that!  I love turkey!!!  It’s the only time of year I really have it.  A fresh turkey roast is so much better than the stuff you get at the stores!!  I can’t wait to share my recipe with you, but that will come later.

Now back to cranberries!!  Mmmm, how I love cranberries, but I think you know that if you looked at my recipe page!  But did you know I never liked them till about 4 years ago, when  I decided to make a cranberry sauce and once I had a taste of that, I was in love!  I can tell you, I don’t like the canned cranberries!  I just love the homemade sauce.  It has so much more flavor.  The Cranberry, Cherry and Pear Chutney is sweet, but you get a slight pucker when you get a cranberry.  The sauce is really easy to make, just throw everything together in a large pot and cook for about 45 minutes.  That is it!  I really don’t know why we only have cranberries in November and December?  I’m personally going to stock my freezer up on fresh cranberries, so I can have some in the spring time!   Have you ever froze cranberries?

Did you know that Cranberries are also call bounceberries?  It’s because they bounce when ripe.  Also only 3 fruit, which are  the blueberry, the Concord grape and the cranberry (all power foods) – can trace their roots to North American soil.  Plus they are commonly consumed during Thanksgiving and Christmas but can, and should, be used every day.  Pretty nice!  I am sure you know all the beneficial fact of cranberries!  Let’s just say they are healthy as long as you don’t load them with sugar!

Well my Friends, I have to admit, it’s been kind of an odd week with recipes.  Lots of odds and ends.  I haven’t cooked much at all because I’m trying to finish off my turkey.  I have had turkey sandwiches, salads, wraps or I have been eating it plain all week.  I can’t believe I haven’t gotten sick of it!  I can’t believe I still have a ton left!  I think I’m going to try freezing it!  Can you freeze turkey?

Time for me to get going!  Have a great weekend!!

Toodles,

Jennifer

P.S.  The winner of the Stonewall Kitchen Holiday Jam Pack is

Author: barbara n
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