Decked-Out Cranberry Sauce

Name: Decked-Out Cranberry Sauce
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 8 min
Total time: 45 min
Ingredients: 2 12-ounce bags fresh cranberries, (rinsed); 1/4 cup water; 1 cup sugar, (more or less depending on sweetness desired); zest from 1 orange; 1/4 cup fresh orange juice; 3 star anise; 1 cinnamon stick; 1/2 cup pecans, (chopped and toasted); 1/4 cup celery, (small diced)

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The orange zest compliments the cranberries so well you really don’t want to omit them. It adds some layers of flavor to this awesome cranberry sauce.

Prep Time: 5 minutes | Cook Time: 7-9 minutes, plus 30 minutes rest time | Total Time: Approximately 45 minutes | Serves: 8-10, 1/4 servings

Thanksgiving… does it bring images of perfectly roasted turkey, creamy, mashed potatoes, Macy’s Thanksgiving parade and National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation?

As Americans, we know our Thanksgiving traditions and heritage are based on our history as to how this country was pioneered. However, did you know 17 countries celebrate their own versions of Thanksgiving?

Friends we’ve had since college, who God called to the mission field in Uganda, described to me adjustments and special memories of Thanksgiving in another country. American families would “gather every year and have a huge meal together.” Keeping with the Tennessee weather, their daughter would wear a sweater, no matter the Ugandan weather, “because it should be sweater-weather on Thanksgiving!” Substituting foods was inevitable, chicken for a turkey or butternut squash for sweet potatoes, but some fellow missionaries would save back items like boxed stuffing or Jello No-Bake Cheesecake mixes (brought back from the states) just for this special occasion. My friend summed it beautifully and perfectly, “The heart of everyone coming together as a family away from our natural families and truly being thankful to our Lord for all that He has done,” was the best part of their Thanksgiving.

One memorable Thanksgiving of my own family… alongside a (brined, of course!) turkey and homemade gravy, we had Green Thai Curry Chicken, Tikka Masala, and Thai Basil Chicken. Seriously, we did. My oldest son had requested it for two years, and this year our youngest son was in Recruit Training to become a United States Marine (so proud!), which makes things a bit out of our usual family holiday. So, why not? I knew it would be delicious. Not to mention, a Thanksgiving to remember.

But, I am not going to give you a recipe for Tikka Masala for your Thanksgiving. What follows is a really delicious side dish that would be wonderful for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter. This recipe uses ingredients that can be adjusted without it compromising the final dish. Don’t use the star anise if you don’t like the liquorice flavor and aroma. Use more, less, or no orange zest if you prefer. Use more or less sugar depending on how sweet or tart you like your cranberry sauce. Use more or less pecans and/or celery, or don’t use the celery at all. My mom used to put diced celery in her cranberry sauce, and I loved the crunch. Anyone else use celery?

The orange zest compliments the cranberries so well you really don’t want to omit it. It adds some layers of flavor to this awesome cranberry sauce.

You can make this in advance so it is one less dish to make on your Thanksgiving Day or any holiday. And who doesn’t love some convenience? Have leftovers? Top on vanilla ice cream.

Enjoy!