Sweet Cranberry Raspberry Sauce

The other day I was watching a cartoon about Thanksgiving.  And on the table were the traditional trimmings, including cranberry "sauce" in the form of a can.  I laughed at how traditional that shape, and taste, has become.  And I don't know very many people who actually like it... So, a couple of years ago I started making it from scratch.  Because everything tastes better homemade than can-made, right?  Plus cranberries are just so darn  fun to cook ;)  This sweet and tart sauce not only tastes great, it's literally a beautiful addition to your plate! 

Ingredients:

• 1 c. water
• 2/3 - 1 c. unbleached sugar (depends on how sweet you want it)
• 1 bag cranberries, sorted, rinsed and drained
• 1 small bag of frozen raspberries (12 oz)
• zest of one orange
• juice of 1 small lemon
• dash or two of nutmeg, ground cloves, and salt

Directions:

1. Combine water and sugar in saucepan, bring to a boil.
2. Add cranberries and bring back to boiling.  Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
3. Add raspberries, orange zest, lemon juice and spices.  Stir well and remove from heat.

When using a full cup of sugar, it tends to be a bit too sweet for my taste.  Which means it's probably about perfect for the majority of America ;)  This makes a relatively huge batch, so I love to freeze what's left and use it as jam.  Leftover turkey sandwiches will never be the same!  *B