5 Ingredients or Fewer
Canal House's Cranberry-Port Gelée
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86 Reviews
Licia
November 26, 2021
Made this, once again (10 years in a row), and I am amazed, year after year, how people respond to this dish. Intense flavors, great texture, amazing taste... Spread it over cheese, in sandwiches, over mashed potatoes, on your charcuterie board... This recipe is so good that it deserves its place all year long and not just at Thanksgiving. Can also be made with frozen cranberries so pack them up in your freezer and make this a staple at your table.
Sara D.
November 26, 2021
I've always been kinda "meh" about homemade cranberry sauce. But this was a revelation. I never want to eat any other kind cranberry sauce ever again. I had no problems and got a nice firm set. I did cook it much longer than indicated until all cranberries are popped and collapsed. I was also VERY aggressive about straining the results, pushing as much pulp through as possible. Mine was about the consistency of applesauce when I poured into jars.
neighome
December 1, 2020
I've made this successfully numerous times. I cook 10 mins, blend with high speed blender, then pass it through a fine mesh sieve. This year, in an attempt to reduce the carb count at the table, I made it with Classic Lakanto sugar substitute (combination of erythritol and monkfruit.) It dissolved without difficulty and gelled up as usual. The tastes is slightly different, but still good.
jjr
November 25, 2020
Made this today and it turned out perfectly. Following tips from reviewers, I added one ounce more cranberries and cooked the sugar, port, peppers and juniper berries for 5 minutes longer. The sauce was thickening by the end of cooking. I used a food mill with finest screen and it could not have been easier. Used Trader Joe's Ruby Port. Thanks for all the tips.
arcane54
November 18, 2018
I think I solved the set issue. The first time I made this (last year) it was perfect! Beautiful color, smoky flavor, set up like it came right out of the can!... a real winner. This year, it did not set. I made a batch yesterday and this morning it was the consistency of cold honey... though still delicious. I rewarmed the sauce and added 1 tablespoon of gelatin that I had bloomed in about 1/4 water. Happy to report that it is on its way to being jellied! It might not be as firm as the canned stuff, but it is holding its shape.
arcane54
November 18, 2018
Also, anyone know why there would be such varying results? I wonder if more mature berries have less pectin? Mine are from the Oregon coast -Bandon and only have to travel 100 miles to our stores. They did seem pretty ripe to me where I’ve had a larger percentage of young, less ripe berries in the past.
enbe
November 17, 2018
Looking this recipe up for Thanksgiving because it's been my go-to for the past few years. Absolutely delicious.
arcane54
November 17, 2018
Mine too! This year I found a pretty antique gelatin mold to use (although putting it in a lightly oiled soup can has been my practice). Has anyone tried it with pomegranate juice or other deep, dark juice instead of the wine/port? I occasionally cook for friends who can’t have any alcohol (even the supposedly “cooked out” kind).
Kamilah
November 17, 2018
I've made this for Thanksgiving as long as the recipe has been in print - delicious. I've made it as written, but also with any red wine I have around the house and extra aromatics like a strip of orange peel, star anise, slice of ginger, etc. Thinking of lime and cardamom this time... Always comes out divine.
lynx60489
November 9, 2018
Any thoughts on making this with erythritol (fake sugar)? I think the taste would be fine, but do you think it would set as well?
cosmiccook
November 20, 2017
Just made this again; tasted it somewhat sweet so I added fresh juiced cranberries and some pulp to the mix--came out great! Started jelling almost before I finished putting it thru the food mill. I should have done a final fine sieve step to eliminate some of the tiny pulp residue but that would have reduced my overall amount. Since I use the cutest little cranberry William Sonoma Cranberry mold, needed what I had. For others, if you have extra cranberries, add a little extra to the pot to ensure it will gel! Added some Satsuma juice & peel, ginger slice, star anise and Grains of Paradise to what is already in the recipe.
Robo
November 15, 2017
Anyone notice any difference between using Tawny vs Ruby Port in this recipe, or does everyone just use the domestic stuff?
Rob
November 14, 2017
I have reviewed the comments and was wondering if there is a community agreement as to what to use for the alcohol? Are most people using the port?
pvanhagenlcsw
November 20, 2016
Lovely dish. I used a food mill instead of a strainer and it worked perfectly.
cheribarry
December 30, 2015
I made this for our Christmas turkey. It was delicious but mine didn't gel up either. I will certainly try it again but go the blender route to see if I can get it to gel.
neighome
December 11, 2015
I cooked mine for a full 10 minutes. I found it was gelling even before being removed from the heat. Borrowing the idea from Janet L Davies, I used a high power blender to liquify it, and then ran it through a sieve to remove the ground up spices. I chilled in an bowl with scalloped edges, and then unmolded it for serving. I thought is was terrific, and the star of my table. Will definitely be making this again.
neighome
November 17, 2016
Experimenting with adding some heat this year. We'll see how it turns out.
Rosie
November 23, 2015
Can anyone guess why mine didn't gel? It's been in the fridge for a day. Tastes delicious, though!
asthmagirl
November 23, 2015
I put mine in the fridge from the night before the past couple times I made it. Did you make sure to squeeze all the gel out until you cannot stand it anyone and then mix it up best you can? my friend once made it but added water when she cooked them which made that happen before.
Rosie
November 23, 2015
Thanks! I made a second batch, cooked it a bit longer and pressed more of the solids through the sieve. It is considerably thicker already and has only been in the fridge for a couple hours. It's super tasty--worth the mistake.
Claire D.
November 23, 2015
Is the alcohol all boiled out? I have a number of recovering alcoholics coming to my Thanksgiving this year and it's okay with them for me to serve number that *tastes* like it may be flavored with alcohol, but anything that has a percentage of alcohol still in it could set them off. Thanks!!
asthmagirl
November 23, 2015
I find that the port flavor is subtle. I end up cooking it for close to 20 minutes, so I think cooking it a bit longer than 10 minutes will make it burn off more. Additionally. you don't put much on your plate! I think it would be fine.
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