Cranberries are a Wisconsin natural!

One of our regular customers asked if I could reshare this recipe for my favorite cranberry sauce. And so, given it is the week many folks most likely think of cranberries - here it is. But, keep reading for another wonderful non-sauce recipe. As you may know, cranberries are my favorite fruit - so I have a lot of ways to use them! One of my favorites is in our Crane Berry Apple herbal tea blend - and it's also a crowd favorite, as it has become one of our best sellers! That makes me so happy - cranberries have so much to offer us. Other than cranberry sauce, most people think of cranberries for urinary tract infections. Did you know that cranberries have Vitamins B, C, E as well as calcium, iron, magnesium, phosporus, potassium and fiber? They are powerful antioxidants and can be added to baked goods, oatmeal, shakes, dressing, squash dishes; simply freeze the fresh berries and use them all year long!

WHITE BALSAMIC AND ROSEMARY CRANBERRY SAUCE

12 oz fresh cranberries

½ - ¾ cup granulated sugar

2 1/2 tablespoons water

2 rosemary sprigs

1 tablespoon white balsamic vinegar

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

DIRECTIONS

• Reserve 1/2 cup cranberries.

• Place the remaining cranberries, sugar, 2 1/2 tablespoons water, and rosemary sprigs in a saucepan over medium-low.

• Cook 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

• Increase heat to medium-high; cook 8 minutes or until juices begin to thicken.

• Remove pan from heat; stir in reserved 1/2 cup cranberries, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper.

If you aren’t as much of a fan of savory flavors in your cranberry dishes, then here is my well used, more traditionally sweet recipe - I honestly don’t know where it originally came from, and I’ve adjusted spices to fit my own preferences over the years, but this is definitely a wonderful herbal recipe for your table - I love this one, too! This recipe includes warming herbs (spices), which are great this time of year to help move your circulation along when it’s cold outside.

 SPICED HERBAL CRANBERRIES

1 pound fresh cranberries

Juice from one orange

Zest from one orange, microplaned

1/4cup honey (you may want more, depending on your sweet tooth)

1-2 inch piece of fresh ginger, finely minced

1-2 cinnamon sticks

2 whole star anise

1/4 tsp ground cloves

1/4 tsp ground allspice

Pinch salt

DIRECTIONS

• Combine all ingredients in a medium pot and bring to a boil.

• Reduce the heat to the lowest setting, and simmer for about 30 minutes with a cover slightly ajar, until most of the cranberries have popped and the sauce has thickened.

• Turn off the heat and cool to room temperature; then refrigerate until ready to serve.

• Remove the cinnamon stick and star anise before serving.

From all of us here at Sweet Willow, we want to wish you the best holidays - whatever your cultural / religious / spiritual tradition may be - we wish for you good health and well-being, a strong community of support, and peace in the New Year. And, of course, good food and a cuppa herbal tea!