The Condiment Aisle: Cranberry Sauce, Relishes, Chutneys....

[Front-Ranger]

I've had and love both, so you can't go too wrong. Maybe it's a matter of reading the room: delicious version of a comforting classic or intriguing and sophisticated new direction? Which way would your guests go?

They would want the former, you're right! Sorry Jacques.

[Jeff Wrangler]

Happy birthday, Jacques!

I'm making his cauliflower gratin for some non-meat-eaters.

Umm. Isn't that just a fancy name for cauliflower with cheese sauce? 

Regardless, it sounds yummy. What's not to like about that? 

Unless you don't like cauliflower. 

[serious crayons]

Umm. Isn't that just a fancy name for cauliflower with cheese sauce? 

Regardless, it sounds yummy. What's not to like about that? 

Unless you don't like cauliflower. 

It's not just a fancy word, it's almost an exact translation. Different vibe, possibly.

I like cauliflower and I've made that and love it. Thanks for reminding me!

[southendmd]

It was a big hit!  One of my guests even brought the baking dish to the table and scraped it clean!

[Front-Ranger]

Went back all the way to 2006 to find this recipe of Paul's!

Here's a simple holiday side dish.  I never like cooked cranberries, and this couldn't be easier.  All you need is a food processor.  It's tart, sweet, bitter and zingy all at once.

CRANBERRY ORANGE RELISH

one bag fresh cranberries
one seedless orange, quartered with the peel on(could substitute two clementines)
one piece fresh ginger about 1"x2"
1/4 cup sugar

In a food processor, put the fresh ginger and process to chop finely. 
Add quartered orange (check for stray seeds), cranberries and sugar.
Process briefly until coarsely chopped.

That's it. 
Some may like more sugar.
Sometimes I'll add a finely chopped jalapeno for added kick.

Paul

[Jeff Wrangler]

It's not just a fancy word, it's almost an exact translation. Different vibe, possibly.

I like cauliflower and I've made that and love it. Thanks for reminding me!

Cauliflower gratin/cauliflower with cheese sauce ...

Reminds me of this:

"The cat ingested a linear object."

Actually, "The cat swallowed a string."

[southendmd]

Supposedly, Mark Twain once said that a cauliflower is just a cabbage with an education. 

[Front-Ranger]

... I used to work for a citrus cooperative and we would visit other cooperatives oftentimes. So I visited Ocean Spray, a co-op, and witnessed the harvest in the bogs!

I have obtained my Ocean Spray canned jellied cranberry relish mostly for nostalgia's sake. But alas, there weren't any fresh cranberries at the grocers yesterday. I'll have to go on a hunt for them.

[Jeff Wrangler]

I have obtained my Ocean Spray canned jellied cranberry relish mostly for nostalgia's sake. But alas, there weren't any fresh cranberries at the grocers yesterday. I'll have to go on a hunt for them.

Bad news.

[Front-Ranger]

I decided to make a different condiment this year.  After many years in a row of making my usual fresh cranberry-orange-ginger relish, I made a cranberry chutney this year.

Cranberry Chutney

This recipe is adapted from one by Jacques Pepin.

Boil two bags of washed and picked over cranberries in 8 oz pomegranate juice.  (Can use cranberry or orange juice or even water.)
Boil till they burst.
Add two chopped granny smith apples (skin on)
Add about 1/4 cup brown sugar (can use more if desired)
Add the zest of two lemons.  Discard the white pith and slice the lemon flesh and add that.
Add a sprinkle of red pepper flakes (optional, but adds nice heat)
Add a good chunk of ginger, minced
Finally, add a couple tablespoons balsamic vinegar.

Let simmer until thick.

This was a big hit at my college gang's 33rd annual pre-Thanksgiving last weekend.

This is all made and ready to go!!