The Covered Dish - Cranberry Sauce

Well our son and daughter in law got home from their honeymoon to multiple inches of snow in St. Louis, MO. They had no idea what they were returning to, back here in the Midwest.
So, our Thanksgiving dinner was held on Sunday instead of Thursday. Like most of you we pushed back from the table with full bellies and everyone basically moaning the usual, ‘we ate too much!’
Everyone jumped in to help me with the last minute preparations. Our friend, Seth, deep fat fried a turkey, and the rest of the sides were pretty much standard fair: dressing, potatoes, gravy, green bean casserole, 7 layer, lettuce salad, hot rolls and pies.
The next holiday dinner will be greatly simplified for all of us.
As we approach the month of December, let’s think simplicity. I often need to rely upon quick fix sauces and toppings when things get a bit vicious in the kitchen. It doesn’t make a person any less of a cook, it’s just good common sense. An easy holiday meal can be pulled together relying upon sliced ham, baked sweet potatoes, salads, and vegetable. The cranberry sauce would be a wonderful addition to go with the meal. Tinker with the sauce and preserve a few jars as gifts for the family and neighbors. It could even be placed over or in cream cheese as an interesting dip. Add a few green onions, spices, write a recipe for the dip and include it with the sauce. I would also put in a few jalapeno slices.
Imagine a leftover dinner roll with the homemade cranberry spread on the inside of the roll.
I have another cranberry sauce recipe that relies upon honey and chunky cranberry sauce, which I also ‘can’ and use as winter gifts. There are so many easy ways to remember work colleagues, friends and family during the season and on a regular basis.
Sometimes I create baskets during the holidays.
Who doesn’t enjoy a box of quality pancake mix, or a homemade mix along with a bottle of real maple syrup. Chicken noodle soup baskets with starter soups, canned chicken, crackers and cheese. Fruit baskets with cheese, sausage and crackers. I purchase a great deal of my cheeses at Aldi’s along with quality crackers.
This week is going to be a very busy one for me. I’ll be working with a knee replacement, therapy and ‘pain management’. It is a way overdue procedure and I’m so excited to get it done. It has been 16 years since I got my first one replaced. Think creative as you prepare for the holidays and remember this little tip: ‘Often the stress we place upon ourselves we create by placing too many expectations on our person,’ I am a perfectionist, and it has taken me a very long time to learn this lesson, which I try to conquer each and every day.
Simply yours, The Covered Dish.


Cranberry Sauce
1 can (15.5 oz,) whole cranberry sauce
1 cup brown sugar
1⁄2 cup Merlot wine, or a burgundy
2 teaspoons prepared mustard
Heat all ingredients in a small saucepan on stovetop.
Work to break up the cranberry sauce, so it is somewhat smooth. Allow the sauce to cool and rewarm in microwave or in a small dip crockpot.
Tip: Go on line and look at some of the interesting cranberry spreads, they really are refreshing at gatherings, and can be a delight on a specialty cheese sandwich. Enjoy-