Spiced Cranberry Sauce

Cranberry sauce with a little spice and everything nice. Most of my family doesn't usually like cranberry sauce, but this one is always eaten - and on more than just turkey.

• Ready In: 30 mins
• Serves: 10-12
• Yields: 2 cups

Ingredients

• 12  ounces  bag cranberries, picked over (float them in a large bowl or pan, those that sink should be disgarded)
• 1⁄2 cup honey
• 3  tablespoons brown sugar, firmly packed (or to taste)
• 2  cinnamon sticks (1/4-1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon)
• 6  whole cloves (1/4 teaspoon ground cloves)
• 1⁄4 teaspoon nutmeg, freshly grated (or to taste)
• 1⁄2 teaspoon ginger, freshly grated
• 1  tablespoon orange zest
• 3⁄4 cup  orange juice

Directions

1. I like to break up my cinnamon sticks and put the cinnamon pieces and the whole cloves in a tea ball or bouquet garni bag. Otherwise you have to fish out the cinnamon and cloves later.
2. In a heavy-bottomed saucepan combine the cranberries, the honey, the brown sugar, the cinnamon sticks, the cloves, the nutmeg, fresh grated ginger, orange zest and orange juice. Simmer the mixture, covered, stirring occasionally, for 5 to 10 minutes, or until almost all of the cranberries have burst and the mixture is thickened. (If you prefer more whole berries in your sauce, leave more intact. If you prefer a more jellied consistency, use an immersion blender to leave fewer whole pieces.) Remove cinnamon sticks and cloves. Transfer the sauce to a bowl and let it cool before serving.
3. The sauce may be made 2 days in advance and kept covered and chilled. Serve the sauce at room temperature. You may also serve the sauce with cream cheese to be spread on crackers for an appetizer.