Dish: canned amaretto cranberry sauce
recipe: pinterest
pajamas: long johns
eaters: The whole family at Thanksgiving
Every year, I am in charge of the bread stuffing and the cranberry sauce at my mom's Thanksgiving dinner. Until I came along, we ate the horrid can shaped, gelatinous, with ridges and all, cranberry sauce. Awhile back I decided to rebel against the cylindrical fruit! We opened it, dished it and threw it away every year. I have tried a new recipe every year. They have all been super tasty and the family actually eats them! This year I used my Pinterest obsession to tackle my job. I found the most delicious looking recipe that used amaretto instead of water. I then found instructions on how to can cranberry sauce. I thought, " This year I learned to knit, cook freshly dead birds- why not can fruit?!?" The cooking part was easy. I boiled amaretto and some lemon zest. I then threw in tons of fresh cranberries. They began to pop open as they cooked (I love that part!) The house smelled wonderful. Once the consistency was right, my big job began. I sterilized my canning jars. I then learned that you had to have a certain top space? 1/4 of an inch was mine. I poured the boiling sauce into the jars and left the top space. I then cleaned the rims and closed the jars. I had water boiling in my big pot. I only have 3 pots so I sure hoped my big pot was big enough. I didn't have the nifty tool that I saw used on all of the youtube videos for placing the jars in the water. I used some tongs. Note to self: buy the tool! I carefully placed the jars in the water. They boiled about 20 minutes. The next part was super scary! I used the tongs to take them out. I heard that if they touch each other or the side of the pot that they would break. I got them all out crack free! I then waited, and waited, and waited for the magical "pop!" Soon each jar popped!! I actually canned fruit! I attribute my success to my inner Amish! I did in fact wear an apron and a bun :)
Trev-o-meter: The whole family raved and said that it was a keeper and that they couldn't wait until next Thanksgiving!
