Mom's OMG OGCs (Orange Ginger Cranberries)

I am a HUGE fan of sauces with my meat, so whenever I get a chance to dip tender, rare meat into a sweet, tangy, citrusy sauce I take it. This recipe is so versatile--you can do whatever you want with it. You can make it exactly as it is, you can add your favorite spices, or add a little extra "spirit" for the holidays! You can use your sauce as a glaze for beef or chicken, can it and gift it at the holidays, or keep it for yourself and EAT IT WITH A SPOON RIGHT OUT OF THE PAN, which is what I do. Super easy. Extra delicious.

For a single batch (you can always half it, double it, quadruple it--you get the gist) you will need:

12 oz. of cranberries (one package of fresh or frozen)

1/2 cup fresh squeezed orange juice (about one orange)

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger root (I buy fresh ginger root and store it in a plastic baggie in my freezer. Grates famously with a zester if you have one.)

1 tablespoon of orange zest

Combine all your ingredients into a medium sauce pan (or a vat--depending on how much you've decided to make) and turn the heat on high. Bring to a boil and start tasting. You can toss in a little Agave Syrup if you want it sweeter. Add some cloves or cinnamon. You can even add cumin and take it south of the border, or Middle Eastern with curry! Now is the time to give your berries a little Holiday Spirit if you'd like(you will want to do this at the boiling stage so it boils off the alcohol content). I love about a capful of Brandy in this recipe, but you can do Rum or Tequila for your south of the border berries. Ouzo has a great licorice flavor and OMG add some mint to that and put this with lamb! Okay I need to simmer down...so where were we? Oh yes. Simmer. Simmer for about half an hour, or until your berries are nice and thick and all the cranberries are soft and have popped open. YUM.

You can use any berry and make jams and sauces this way--if you don't can them, they keep in the fridge for about two to three weeks!

A Holiday Hostess Gift Idea

Get yourself some cute, small, round jelly jars for canning and some pretty holiday fabric. Boil all the jars per canning instructions and once your sauce is in, and the lids are sealed, cover them with fabric and rubberband the tops. Hand write or print on a 3x5 card a little recipe to go with your sauce. Punch a hole in the card and tie it onto your jar with ribbon. A nice change from wine gifts.