Sharing a Favorite!!

by Deanna

 As I am writing this it is the Wednesday evening before Thanksgiving.  My table is set, the cranberries are cooked, the pumpkin roll is cooling on my walk-in refrigerator (aka the screen back porch) and the mashed potatoes are cooked and ready to be re-heated for the dinner tomorrow.  So when you read this all of this yumminess plus more will have been consumed on Thursday.  The day that we will have given thanks, taken many pictures, laughed at old stories, yelled at the dogs (there will be 4 here) and created new memories. 

I have shared my life with you both here and on my personal blog….most of it filled with joy, but sometimes sadness creeps in and I’ve shared that as well.  But one thing I have never shared is a recipe.  So today, I am sharing my favorite cranberry recipe, I love it, I make a double batch each year.  I hear some of you saying…. Thanksgiving is over, why cranberries, why now?. 

Well, I know that turkey is enjoyed as much at Christmastime as it is for Thanksgiving and since cranberries are in season for such a short while, and they are absolutely beyond a doubt the best accompaniment for your turkey, you need to make this and try it just once.  First it is easy peasy….I don’t do difficult anymore.  Younger yes, older no.  And second, it is a jubilation of flavors of cranberry, orange & cherry.

So here goes….See how I am trying to act like those food bloggers by showing you the ingredients first…but a Ree Drumond (aka The Pioneer Woman) I will never be.  But a girl can dream can't she?

Ingredients

·         1 bag cranberries

·         2 cups sugar

·         1 cup water

·         1 regular size box of cherry jello

·         1 large can of mandarin oranges

·         1 cup pecan pieces or more if you like nuts as much as I do

How to

·         Wash & drain cranberries

·         Place cranberries, water & sugar in deep pot (trust me you want something a little deep because when those babies start popping they can pop all over your kitchen)

·         Heat until berries pop

·         Remove from heat, add the pkg of jello and then mash those babies with a potato masher until they are a little pureed.  I like a few chunks in mine so I don’t beat them to death.

·         Add can of mandarin oranges, juice and all

·         Add nuts

·         Stir and refrigerate until ready to be served. It is a little jiggly so it's best to serve them in a small bowl rather than letting them run all over your mashed potatoes....just sayin. 

 I   I hope your Thanksgiving was filled with thanks and giving with added sides of joy and laughter. I hope your tummy was filled to the brim and you were so stuffed and felt like you couldn't possibly move an inch but still managed one small slice of pumpkin pie. Our small group here at FOL are so grateful for your presence here, we hope that you have a wonderful holiday season, and we give thanks to you, our readers.