help me use my cranberry sauce

November 3, 2009 12:41 PM

What can I make using a can of jellied cranberry sauce that not only doesn't involve a turkey, but doesn't involve an oven or (most) cheese?

I have two cans that are expiring in a few days. Turkey is hard to come by in my country and I don't have an oven. I can find mediocre cheese: cheddar, grated white pizza, brie, camembert. I can make ricotta and goat cheese. I have pots, pans, a grill, and a blender. I looked at this question but most recipes didn't fit my constraints. However, the smoothie idea was intriguing-- what flavors would it pair well with? I do have a loaf of pumpkin bread, so I'd appreciate non-turkey sandwich ingredients.

posted by acidic to food & drink (16 comments total)

Cranberries are very acidic, acidic, so don't worry too much about the cans expiring. Have you ever tried battered fried tofu? That might make a good sandwich with cranberries.
posted by mareli at 12:47 PM on November 3

Put some in plain oatmeal or cream of wheat.

Alternatively, eat it out of the can!
posted by backseatpilot at 12:47 PM on November 3

Can you get your hands on chicken? It should work as well as turkey for a meat base.
posted by oinopaponton at 12:49 PM on November 3

Put it in plain or vanilla yogurt.
posted by Wordwoman at 12:49 PM on November 3 [1 favorite]

I've eaten it with (swedish) meatballs when we were out of lingonberry sauce.
posted by cobaltnine at 12:52 PM on November 3 [1 favorite]

You don't really need to worry about the expiration date if the cans are still sealed and not dented or bulging. Food shelf/pantry organizations pretty much ignore expiration dates. Just sayin'...it's not going to explode in 48 hours or anything...
posted by cabingirl at 1:09 PM on November 3

I'll admit that after we ran out of leftover turkey one thanksgiving, I ate cranberry-and-mayo sandwiches! Man cranberry sauce is awesome.

My friend once made this awesome appetizer - I think it was basically baked brie with cranberry sauce. Something like this.
posted by radioamy at 1:40 PM on November 3

They go well with sweet potatoes. (Pan-fry some sliced fresh ones; canned yams and canned cranberries together would be far too much sugar.)

They also freeze well, FWIW.
posted by nebulawindphone at 1:55 PM on November 3

Turn it into salad dressing.
posted by carmicha at 1:59 PM on November 3

Goat cheese and cranberry sauce pumpkin bread sandwiches. Alternately, cranberry sauce would go well with pork or lamb as it's tart enough to cut through the richness. I can't quite get my mental palate around cranberries and beef but who knows? You could heat the cranberry sauce until it's liquid and drizzle over sliced oranges or ice cream or even a creamy soup.
posted by Allee Katze at 2:11 PM on November 3

Make a Jus.

Fry your meat or whatever in the a buttered or oiled pan. Take the meat out. Whilst it's resting, deglaze the place with 50-60mls of white balsamic vinegar. You could just use white wine vinegar, but it will take longer and may not taste as good. This is all about easy.

Let it bubble away, and stir, stir, stir. Grab the cranberry and add four/five teaspoons, keep stirring. If it looks too thick, add some more vinegar. At this point, you can turn the heat to low.

Keep stirring as it reduces, once the jus is nice and tacky, drizzle it over your dinner. Remember, the jus will thicken once it cools down (dependent on how much jam), so don't go too nuts with reduction.
posted by smoke at 2:15 PM on November 3

it's also good with pork, if you eat pork.

you could probably also make a sauce for beef or lamb with it, I see a lot of recipes for berry sauces, and the canned stuff saves you having to strain out any annoying seeds.

Please check back and let us know what you end up doing with it. I'm curious.
posted by bilabial at 2:25 PM on November 3

if you like tomatoes, cranberry-tomato soup is great.
posted by effluvia at 2:50 PM on November 3

Sweet and sour meatballs: Chili sauce and cranberries, mixed well. Put in pot or crockpot, add fresh or frozen meatballs. Cook on low until meatballs are cooked through.
posted by lemonwheel at 3:06 PM on November 3 [1 favorite]

Toasted brie and cranberry sauce sandwiches are pretty good. Add bacon if you can.
posted by EndsOfInvention at 3:28 PM on November 3 [2 favorites]

Add bacon if you can.
This instruction is implicit in all recipes without exception. Even vegetarians admit that the thought, or smell, of frying bacon makes their mouths water. (Yes, including desserts.)
posted by beagle at 3:50 PM on November 3