Homemade Cranberry Sauce

Making cranberry sauce from scratch is so simple, I wonder why I bought the canned product for so many years. As a child, my grandmother made a wonderful homemade thanksgiving dinner, but even she poured her cranberry sauce from the can (very carefully actually, so that the ribbed lines from the side of the can were intact). This recipe from America's Test Kitchen is very easy, fast (like 20 minutes tops) and so much tastier.

Cranberry Sauce

Adapted from Cranberry-Orange Sauce, America's Test Kitchen's The New Best Recipe 

¾ cup water

1 cup sugar

¼ tsp. salt

1 12 oz bag of cranberries picked over (discard any bruised, bloated or soft berries)

1 tbsp. orange or lemon zest

2 tbsp. orange-flavored brandy liqueur (such as Grand Marnier)

Boil water, sugar, orange zest and salt in medium saucepan over high heat, stirring to dissolve sugar. Stir in cranberries, return to boil. Reduce heat to medium; simmer until saucy, slightly thickened and about 2/3 of the berries have popped open, about 5 minutes. Transfer to bowl, stir in orange liqueur, cool to room temperature and serve.