Friday, November 18, 2011

Cranberry and Dried Cherry Relish


Everyone has their traditional holiday recipes used time and time again and this cranberry and cherry relish is one of mine.  The sweetness of the dried cherries balances the tartness of the fresh cranberries perfectly. I've been making this relish for at least 15 years and have adapted it to include a little freshly grated orange zest and orange juice for additional flavor.  My family won't let me make any other cranberry sauce.


If regular cranberry sauce is a little too tart for you, give this recipe a try - it's delicious! And, don't even think about grabbing one of those cans! This is easy to make and can be made ahead of time too.


Cranberry and Dried-Cherry Relish

Recipe adapted from Martha Stewart
Printable Recipe

Makes 3 cups.

1 packages (12 ounces) fresh or frozen cranberries (no need to thaw if frozen but I always use fresh during the holidays)
1 cup dried cherries
1 teaspoon grated orange zest
1 tablespoon fresh orange juice
1 cup sugar
2 cups water

In a large saucepan, combine cranberries, cherries, sugar and water. Bring to a boil; reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer until most of the berries have burst and liquid is syrupy, 20 to 25 minutes. Transfer to a bowl.

Cover, pressing plastic wrap directly on surface of relish and refrigerate.

Make Ahead: Can be made up to a week ahead and refrigerated.

59 comments:

  1. Looks delicious! Love the combination of cranberries and cherries. I've made something similar but with jalapeno's.

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  2. ciao Susan!!!!!!!combinazione perfetta!mi piace!!!ciao!

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  3. It sounds so good..

    Happy Thanksgiving to you and all of yours dear Susan~xx

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  4. It certainly is beautiful! Sounds tasty with the addition of cherries, too. It would be enough to take that tart edge from the cranberries. A happy Thanksgiving to you and yours as well!

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  5. I've decided to make my own this year. Your recipe looks delicious and easy. And, I love that I can make it ahead of time! I was just making a list of what I could make early, I'm the only one cooking for 12 and I always get very stressed!
    Have a wonderful holiday!
    -Lynn

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  6. As you know here in Italy unfortunately ( :( ) we don't have any Thanksgiving's DAy , but I'm going to think of you all..... .
    Unfortunately we don't have any fresh cranberry (not even the Summer), only dried ones, anyway I like your relish!!! Hugs, Flavia


    HAve a splendid T'DAY!!! xoxoxoxo

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  7. What would a holiday meal be without cranberry sauce! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!

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  8. Oh, this sounds really good! I have some dried cherries in the freezer, will get them out and do a test run later today.
    A very Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours, Susan.

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  9. This looks and sounds delicious. I make a fresh cranberry relish, but never thought of dried cherries. I'll look for them at the store in hopes of making your recipe. Happy Friday and Happy Thanksgiving.

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  10. Beautiful...at first before I read the recipe I thought you would have to blend it a little..glad you don't, I like the chunkiness!

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  11. Hi Susan - I made this recipe on your recommendation last year and we loved it. Glad to see you've tweaked it a bit with citrus... will make your updated recipe this year.

    Have a great week!!
    :)
    Patricia

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  12. Yum! Thanks for sharing the recipe.
    Enjoy your weekend.

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  13. An absolute necessity on the Thanksgiving table! So pretty in your crystal dish!

    Happy Thanksgiving wishes to your and your family!

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  14. I bet the cranberries with the cherries is so good. I just love the fresh taste of cranberries during this season! Joni

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  15. This sounds like a wonderful combination!

    A very happy and blessed Thanksgiving to you and your family.

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  16. Sounds great Susan, I love cranberry sauce! Wishing you a very Happy Thanksgiving-enjoy:@)

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  17. Lovely idea, Susan. Oddly enough, I'm going to post a cookie recipe made with dried cranberries and sour cherry jam tomorrow. I love the flavors together and if I hadn't already made my cranberry sauce and frozen it, I'd be making this!
    Happy Thanksgiving!

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  18. Really enjoy your version of cranberry sauce; a must try for sure. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family. Enjoy!
    Rita

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  19. Love the idea of dried cherries; I have made cranberry sauce many times before with cranberries and orange juice but I will definitely add cherries next time! Great recipe.

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  20. I love the idea of adding the cherries! I'll bet this is mouth watering delicious!

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  21. Great combination! I've not tried this and I was making cranberries this morning. One of the varieties had pineapple -- a first for me -- and I could have scarfed it down with a spoon.

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  22. This looks so delicious...two of my favorite fruits! It is perfect for the festive season too..I'll bookmark it for a festive dinner..
    ronelle

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  23. This sounds wonderful~ I'll look forward to trying it! Happy Thanksgiving!

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  24. Wow, this looks delicious! Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family! Enjoy!

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  25. This is definitely a must have for the coming holiday! Looks fantastic!

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  26. This looks like an amazing accompaniment for Thanksgiving turkey!

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  27. I made this and it is delicious! Thanks for sharing, Susan.

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  28. It looks delicious, Susan. I tried it a few years ago and will never go back! I am making some to bring Thurs., along with my other assignments! The car always smells good on the trip there, and we pray for no huge potholes or it will be a very interesting concoction of flavors!
    Have a wonderful holiday with your beautiful family!

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  29. This looks wonderful! Traditional recipes are so interesting. I thought I would make something more interesting in the way of cranberry relish and made a wonderful orange one. My husband later let me know , lovingly, that he liked the canned kind with the ridges of the can on it!!! I guess I can't mess with his tradition!

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  31. This look delicious Susan !I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving with your family. I'll bookmark this recipe for Christmas dinner, a warm hug...

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  32. Id like to wish everyone whose blog that i visit a happy Thanksgiving to you and your family's, and thank you for being a reader to mine. Richard from Amish Stories.

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  33. Ugh those cans are the worst! I actually can't eat canned cranberry sauce...I hate the texture. I could totally fall in love with this version though!

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  34. I always lay in a few extra bags of cranberries as I now I'll come across yet another good recipe for them. I've just added dried ones and cherries to the grocery list.

    Good wishes for a lovely Thanksgiving surrounded by those you love.

    Best,
    Bonnie

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  35. What a delicious combination, cranberries and cherries. I think my family would really enjoy this. Thanks Susan and Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.

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  36. This is the second cranberries and cherries combo I have heard, and I am just excited to see them!:)
    They are just the best, don't you think...and I am enticed by the combo and the taste!!:D

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  37. I'll admit, I've never been a big fan of that canned cranberry stuff.

    I love your idea of using some orange zest and cherries though to make an awesome homemade version.

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  38. i love the sound of family favorite recipes, and while I had my heart settled on one cranberry recipe already, I think there is room on the table for some experimentation. I think the cherries in this recipe makes this sauce extra special. I will definitely try this!

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  39. This looks sooooo good. I will try it before Christmas. Happy Thanks Giving.
    Dahlianut/Linda

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  40. happy thanksgiving love this esp the cherries in there

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  41. I love the idea of adding cherries - sweet and intense! And what a beautiful rich color!

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  42. This recipe is a must-try! We have such a set menu for Thanksgiving... I am adding a new one, yours! I love the idea of cranberries and cherries! Oh my goodnesss, this looks incredible!!!!
    Thanks for sharing my new addition to the Thanksgiving menu ON THE MENU MONDAY!
    Have a blessed Thanksgiving!
    Yvonne

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  43. How interesting to have cherries in the mix, Susan! I will have to try it for Christmas, since I've already done our traditional one for tomorrow.

    Did you see the French version that Sam over at My Caroline Kitchen made?
    2011/11/favorite-thanksgiving-recipes.html

    It has red wine in it but is very similar to yours with the orange, too.

    Have a wonderfully Blessed Thanksgiving, Honey & thanks for all the recipes that you share.

    fondly,
    Rett

    now I'm off to read about your make ahead gravy...my most dreaded chore!

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  44. Happiest Thanksgiving best wishes to you and your family, Susan. Love the combination of cranberries and cherries. This will definitely have a place on our holiday table.

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  45. Perfect inspiration for the holidays! Thank you so much!

    xoxo,
    Kayleigh

    Check out the delicious muffins I made at www.o-kayleigh.blogspot.com

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  46. That looks beautiful! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

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  47. I've missed visiting your blog, Susan! I knew you would have something spectacular for thanksgiving and I was right . Delicious and gorgeous. Very clever to put cherries in with the cranberries. You've got to love MArtha. Have a great Thanksgiving.

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  48. Happy Thanksgiving to you too, Susan! Hope you enjoy this day to the fullest :) The cranberry-Relish sauce looks absolutely great-- Must try :)

    HUGS <3

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  49. Cranberry sauce is one of my favorite parts of Thanksgiving. I will definitely give yours with the cherries included a try. I like to vary mine from time to time.

    Hope you and your family had a wonderful Thanksgiving.
    Sam

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  50. Everything looks yummy!! I just recently started blogging and adding recipes that I've came across that are delicious! Feel free to check it out!

    Thanks,
    Dana
    http://completingourfamily4.blogspot.com/

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  51. I just made this and it is wonderful. This will go good with our turkey tomorrow.
    Dahlianut/Linda

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  52. I love cranberries. The addition of cherries would only make them better in my book!

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  53. Thanksgiving would not be the same without a good cranberry relish. Thanks for sharing yours with us.

    Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.

    Velva

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  54. Saving this recipe for Christmas dinner! The sound of cranberries and cherries is very appealing to me. The color is gorgeous. :)

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  55. Made this last year, so good. Try it with a toasted bagel and cream cheese for a change! ��

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