Music to Cook By

 

I couldn't wait any longer - I had to put my Christmas playlist up!  I hope you enjoy it as much as I have been while beginning the big cooking extravaganza, otherwise known as Thanksgiving.  Here we have an incredibly aromatic cranberry pear relish - it has filled the house with the most AMAZING scent of cinnamon, citrus, cloves, and - of course - cranberries.

 

Would you like the recipe?  It's one that I have come up with based on several different recipes I have found online.

CITRUS CRANBERRY PEAR RELISH

zest from 1 small lime (just the green part - not the white pith)

 2 1/2 cup sugar

1/3 cup water

1 1/2 Tbls. lemon juice

1 tsp cinnamon (or a cinnamon stick plus a generous dash of powder)

1/2 tsp ground cloves

1/8 tsp EACH nutmeg and allspice

4 cups cranberries

2 pears, chopped (I'd recommend chopping them a bit smaller than what you see here)

Rinse berries, set aside.  Combine all ingredients except berries and pears.  Cook in saucepan for 5 minutes at a gentle rolling boil, stirring frequently.  Add cranberries, simmer for 5 minutes.  Add pears and simmer gently for another 3 to 5 minutes, depending on how soft you like your pears.   Let cool at room temperature, store in fridge.  I like to warm mine up again for turkey dinner, it's SOOO good with turkey and stuffing!  Enjoy!

ps.  Thanks, everyone, for all your kind comments about my rock project, ornament tutorials, etc!  I'm really bad about writing back individually unless someone has a specific question (and even then I'm hit-or-miss...I'm embarrassingly scatter-brained with all the various projects and family things going on.  I need a secretary.) but please know that I really, truly, do love your comments.  One of these days I'm going to figure out the whole blog reader system so I can keep track of all your blogs.  Any suggestions on what you all use to make lists of blogs and when there's a new post?

Comments

[Sharon Schriber]

Step aside Martha Stewart!!

You are incredible. have never seen someone whose talent exceeds yours. You are who I wanted to be but 25 military moves, divorce, raising 2 children through college & reinventing myself to start a career at 40 yrs. I am now in retirement at age 67 yrs & for the 1st time I can really paint a house. I'm making taffetta drapes for my new house, shades & bulletin board for my wonderful sewing room. You have the newest knowhow & I will follow yo!!

[shelley]

Wow, Sharon, thanks for all the compliments - although I think you're exaggerating my talents quite a bit! It's sweet of you to say though. Sounds like you have had a lot of detours and challenges in your life - glad to see you're finally able to settle down and do more things that you love! Have a great time working on your new house - it sounds beautiful!