Perfecting the Classic Cranberry Sauce Recipe for Your Thanksgiving Dinner

A classic cranberry sauce, here's a simple step-by-step recipe for you:

Ingredients:

• 1 bag (12 ounces) fresh or frozen cranberries

• 1 cup granulated sugar

• 1 cup water

• Optional: Orange zest, cinnamon, or other spices for flavor (about 1 teaspoon)

Instructions:

1. Rinse Cranberries:

• If using fresh cranberries, rinse them thoroughly under cold water. If using frozen cranberries, there's no need to thaw them.

1. Combine Ingredients:

• In a medium-sized saucepan, combine the cranberries, sugar, and water.

1. Add Flavor (Optional):

• If you want to add extra flavor, you can include optional ingredients like orange zest, a cinnamon stick, or other spices. This step is entirely customizable based on your preferences.

1. Cook on Medium Heat:

• Place the saucepan on the stove over medium heat. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring occasionally.

1. Simmer:

• Once the mixture reaches a boil, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer. Continue to cook for about 10-15 minutes, or until the cranberries burst and the sauce thickens.

1. Adjust Sweetness:

• Taste the sauce and adjust the sweetness if needed. You can add more sugar if you prefer it sweeter.

1. Cool:

• Remove the saucepan from heat and let the cranberry sauce cool to room temperature. As it cools, it will continue to thicken.

1. Serve:

• Transfer the cranberry sauce to a serving dish. If you added any optional ingredients, you may want to remove them before serving.

1. Chill (Optional):

• You can refrigerate the cranberry sauce for a few hours before serving if you prefer it chilled.

1. Enjoy:

• Your homemade cranberry sauce is ready to be served alongside your Thanksgiving meal!

Feel free to adjust the recipe based on your taste preferences, and don't be afraid to get creative with additional flavors if you like. Enjoy your Thanksgiving sauce!