California Cranberry Sauce with Fresh Orange Zest
Refined Sugar-Free, Paleo, with Clean & Balanced Ingredients
I’ve been making this recipe for 10 years and every time I prepare it, I remember why I love it. I developed this cranberry sauce recipe to be healthy, light, and a great balance for a holiday dinner plate.
To cut the tartness of the cranberries yet provide natural sweetness I use fresh squeezed navel oranges and dates. I love this recipe so much (and I don’t trust the sugar in other people’s recipes), so I bring it with me even when I’m a guest on Thanksgiving.
It’s easy to transport so I always volunteer to provide this holiday sauce.
ALL THE BENEFITS OF CRANBERRIES
Cranberries are relatives of bilberries, blueberries and huckleberries. Think of all the antioxidant power in these little red balls. Medicinal benefits of these little tart red berries are as follows.
- Dispels heat and damp conditions
- Support the large intestine, bladder and kidney
- A rich source of antioxidants
- Supports the immune system, cardiovascular systems and has anticancer properties
- Helps prevent tooth decay, gingivitis and urinary tract infections (the natural tannins in the berry inhibits the growth of bacteria)
- Consumption of cranberries reduces some types of kidney stones
HOW TO CUT THE TARTNESS OF CRANBERRIES
In this recipe I use fresh orange and dates to cut the tartness. If you don’t have two dates, try substituting with the follow natural sweetener.
- 2 Tbsp maple syrup
- 2 Tbsp raw honey
- 2 Tbsp agave syrup
When using honey, I suggest stirring it in at the end of cooking. Once the sauce is cooked through, turn off the stove, set the pot aside to cool, and stir in the honey.
ADD A SPICE BOOST FOR FLAVOR & ANTIOXIDANTS
When I want to customize a recipe I always start with a baseline. I make a recipe as it was intended the first time. Then I know the flavor profile. After that, you can tweak it by adding or changing spices to customize.
If you are looking for more spice in your cranberry sauce, play with the following spices. Add one spice, starting with ¼ teaspoon. Adding more ¼ at a time till you’ve reached the balances flavor for you.
The following spices would work well in this recipe.
- Cardamom
- Cinnamon
- Turmeric
- Black pepper
- Sea salt
Remember to reach for organic spices for freshness. Spices are a concentrated source of flavor, so you want them to be free of harmful pesticides. I use Frontier Co-Op, Simply Organic, Spicely, and Whole Foods Organic Spices.
IF YOU LIKE THIS SAUCE TRY THE FOLLOWING
- Whipped Balsamic Vinaigrette
- Magic Romesco Sauce
- Everyday Detox Cilantro Dressing
- Whipped Lemon Vinaigrette
CHEF TIP
Fresh cranberries will keep up to two months refrigerated. They are at their peak in November.
If you make this recipe, please let me know. Bookmark this recipe and leave a comment below or take a photo and tag me on Instagram with #starseedkitchen.
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California Cranberry Sauce with Fresh Orange Zest
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4–6 servings 1x
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Stove Top
- Cuisine: Healthy
Description
Refined sugar-free and Paleo using clean and balanced ingredients. Fresh squeezed naval orange and California’s dates help balance the tart berries so you can enjoy the antioxidant benefits.
Ingredients
- 8-oz fresh cranberries (1 bag)
- Zest and juice of 1 orange (1/2 cup of juice)
- 2 dates, finely chopped
Instructions
- In a small pot, add fresh cranberries, orange juice, orange zest and chopped dates. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium high for 5 minutes, so the cranberries start popping. Stir frequently.
- Reduce heat to a simmer for an additional 5 minutes. Remove from heat. The sauce will thicken as it cools.
- Store in an airtight glass container for 7 days in the fridge. Enjoy.
Notes
Fresh cranberries will keep up to two months refrigerated. They are at their peak in November.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Hi, I’m Whitney Aronoff, a Holistic Chef based in Laguna Beach, California. I graduated from Southern Methodist University with a degree in Communications, and went on to the health supportive culinary school, The Natural Gourmet Institute, in New York City. I work as a personal chef and teach cooking classes, with a focus on healthy, whole foods cooking.
My goal is to help people feel their best by sharing the delicious, healthy recipes I prepare weekly for my clients. I want you to have the energy to live your best life and fulfil your dreams. As we become more conscious and make more quality food choices, our body, mind, soul and the planet benefits.
I don’t have dates. what else can I use?
You can substitute dates with any natural sugar. Try maple syrup (2 tablespoons), maple crystals, 2 teaspoons organic cane sugar, pinch of stevia, 2 teaspoons coconut sugar.