Pickled Cranberries Recipes

GREENS WITH PICKLED CRANBERRIES AND BUTTERMILK DRESSING

Steps:

• Combine 1/3 cup water, the vinegar, sugar and a big pinch of salt in a small microwave-safe bowl or liquid measuring cup. Add the dried cranberries. Microwave until the liquid starts to simmer, 1 1/2 to 2 minutes. Let the cranberries sit in the liquid for 30 minutes to pickle slightly, then drain.
• Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Combine the butter and sage in a small microwave-safe bowl and microwave until melted, about 1 minute. Toss with the bread pieces on a baking sheet; season with salt and pepper and spread in a single layer. Bake, tossing halfway through, until crisp, 15 to 20 minutes.
• Make the dressing: Combine the buttermilk, sour cream, mayonnaise, mustard, garlic, 1/4 cup dill, the parsley, 1 scallion, 3/4 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper in a food processor. Pulse to make a smooth dressing.
• Gently toss the lettuces and the remaining 1/4 cup dill and 3 sliced scallions with the dressing in a large bowl; season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle with the cranberries and croutons and gently toss.

PICKLED CRANBERRIES

Steps:

• Prepare a boiling water bath and three pint jars. Place lids in a small saucepan of water and bring to a gentle simmer.
• Wash cranberries and pick over for any stems or bad berries.
• Combine vinegar and sugar in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil. Add cinnamon sticks to the brine.
• Place allspice berries, whole cloves, black peppercorns and juniper berries in a spice bag or a tea ball. Add them to the brine.
• When brine is boiling vigorously, add the cranberries. Stir to combine and cook for 3-7 minutes, until the cranberries begin to pop and the brine has returned to a rolling boil.
• When cooking time has elapsed, remove pot from heat. Pull out the spice bag and cinnamon sticks. Break cinnamon sticks in half and set aside.
• Using a slotted spoon, ladle cranberries into prepared jars. Cover berries with brine, leaving 1/2 inch headspace. Place a cinnamon stick segment into each jar.
• Wipe jar rims, apply lids and rings and process in a boiling water bath canner for 10 minutes.
• When time is up, remove jars from canner and place them on a folded kitchen towel to cool. When jars are cool enough to handle, remove rings and check seals. Any unsealed jars should be kept in the refrigerator.
• Let jars sit for at least 24 hours before eating to allow the flavors to settle.

HELEN WITTY'S SWEET AND TART PICKLED CRANBERRIES

Steps:

• Pick over and rinse cranberries; let them drain in a colander.
• Combine vinegar, sugar and water in a large saucepan. Tie coriander, cloves and cinnamon loosely in cheesecloth, then pound the bundle lightly to bruise the spices. Add the spice bag to the vinegar mixture.
• Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, stirring until the sugar has dissolved. Simmer, partly covered, 5 minutes.
• Add cranberries to syrup and cook over very low heat, uncovered, shaking the pan often until the berries are heated through and the skins have cracked, about 7 minutes. Transfer mixture to a bowl; allow to cool. Cover cooled mixture and leave it at room temperature several hours or overnight.
• Spoon the berries from the syrup into clean, hot 1-pint canning jars with new lids. Reheat the syrup to boiling, remove the spice bag and fill jars with syrup, leaving 1/4 inch of space at the top. Remove air bubbles by inserting a thin plastic spatula or a wooden chopstick between the food and the jar, and add syrup if necessary. Cover. Process for 15 minutes in a boiling water bath. Cool, and tighten lids. Allow the cranberries to mellow for two weeks before using.

TURKEY THIGHS WITH PICKLED CRANBERRIES AND ONIONS FOR TWO

Steps:

• Finely grate 1/2 teaspoon zest from the lemon and put it in a small bowl with the garlic and thyme. Halve the lemon and squeeze 1 tablespoon of the juice into the bowl. Mix everything into a paste.
• Pat the turkey thighs dry and season with salt and pepper. Smear turkey with the paste and place thighs on a plate. Refrigerate, uncovered, so the skin can dry out, for at least 2 hours and up to 2 days.
• Meanwhile, squeeze the remaining juice from the lemon halves into a medium bowl. Add the onion, cranberries, lime juice, sugar and 1/4 teaspoon salt, tossing well. Let the mixture sit at room temperature, tossing occasionally, until the onions wilt and turn pink, 1 hour. Cover and refrigerate until serving. (These can be made up to 3 days in advance.)
• Heat oven to 375 degrees. Put turkey thighs on a baking pan and dot with butter. Roast the thighs for 40 to 50 minutes, until the skin is crisp, the meat is cooked through and the juices run clear. (No need to rest here.)
• Serve turkey with a little of the cranberries and pickles on top, with herbs scattered over everything.

PICKLED RED ONIONS AND CRANBERRIES

Steps:

• Heat 1/4 cup oil in large deep nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add half of onions to skillet and sauté until tender and golden brown, about 12 minutes. Transfer onions to large bowl. Repeat with remaining 1/4 cup oil and remaining onions. Return all onions to same skillet. Add vinegar and sugar, then cranberries, and simmer over medium heat until cranberries pop and juices thicken slightly, about 8 minutes. Stir in chipotle chiles. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Cool. (Can be prepared 5 days ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Bring to room temperature before serving.)
• *Chipotle chiles canned in a spicy tomato sauce, sometimes called adobo, are available at Latin American markets, specialty foods stores, and some supermarkets.