Cranberry Orange Zest Sauce (Printable)
Tangy cranberry and orange zest sauce with sweet citrus notes to brighten meals.
# What You Need:
→ Fruits
01 - 12 oz fresh or frozen cranberries
02 - Zest of 1 large orange
03 - 1/2 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
→ Sweeteners
04 - 3/4 cup granulated sugar
→ Liquids
05 - 1/2 cup water
→ Optional Flavorings
06 - 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
07 - Pinch of salt
# How to Make It:
01 - Rinse cranberries thoroughly and discard any that are soft or bruised.
02 - In a medium saucepan, mix cranberries, orange zest, orange juice, sugar, water, and cinnamon if using.
03 - Heat mixture over medium-high heat until it reaches a boil, stirring occasionally.
04 - Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 10 to 12 minutes until cranberries burst and sauce thickens, stirring occasionally.
05 - Remove from heat and let sauce cool to room temperature to allow further thickening.
06 - Transfer sauce to a serving dish or airtight container and refrigerate until ready to serve.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- It's like a secret handshake with your taste buds that says "holidays are here".
- The fresh orange zest brings a zing that makes this sauce stand out from the usual sweet spreads.
02 -
- Patience with simmering is key—too hot or rushing ruins that fresh burst texture.
- Adding nuts after cooling not only boosts texture but also adds a wonderful contrast to the tanginess.
03 -
- Don't skip the zest; it's the unsung hero that elevates every bite.
- Simmer gently rather than rapidly boiling for best texture and flavor development.