San Geraldo's mother, Alice, had a cranberry salad recipe, the origin of which is unknown. She served it as a side dish, which is the norm for cranberry salad. However, once it was introduced to my family, they were stunned to see it on the table with the main course and thought it would be much more appropriate as a dessert.
I know I always say I don't cook. It should be understood that it's not because I'm incapable but instead because, mostly, I hate it. I can, however, take responsibility for one dish if required. And, for some unremembered reason, Alice's cranberry salad has become my signature dish.
When you follow my photo-illustrated "cooking" instructions below, you will be shocked to learn I have so mastered the complex recipe that I can now create this dish completely from memory. For real! (Click any image to magnify my gastronomy.)
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| WASH THE CRANBERRIES, DISCARD THE SOFT ONES. |
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| GRIND CRANBERRIES (IN SAN GERALDO'S GRANDMOTHER'S MEAT GRINDER). ALLOW THE JUICE TO DRAIN AWAY. |
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| THE GROUND CRANBERRIES. |
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| ONE SMALL CAN (DRAINED) GROUND PINEAPPLE. |
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| ONE CUP MINI MARSHMALLOWS. ("JETTED" ALL THE WAY FROM SEATTLE BY JUDYSHANNONSTREETWHAT.) |
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| BEFORE ADDING THE MARSHMALLOWS, ADD ONE CUP OF SUGAR. |
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| GENTLY BLEND IN ONE CUP OF WHIPPED CREAM AND... ¡VOILÀ! |
This year's cranberry salad was a brilliant success. I'm thinking of opening a cooking school.
The Cranberries (of course)
Midwestern and nary a hint of jello or pudding? Sacrilege! Oh but wait, you are the Cranberry Chef, so maybe not! Love that the cranberries are ground in San G's grandmother's meat grinder, what a super adaptation!
ReplyDeleteJacqueline:
DeleteJELLO isn't sold here (thank god!)
Mitchell your dish loooks fantastic next time you must invite me because I have never eaten it before
ReplyDeleteGosia:
DeleteIt is so delicious. Can you get cranberries? (Or marshmallows?) If not, I guess you'll just have to visit Southern Spain (or New England) for Christmas.
No orange peel? I guess the pineapple is the alternative. (Tom can't eat pineapple and I tend to forget it exists, although it was a mainstay in many home recipes in my youth.) At any rate, if you do decide to open a cooking school, please hold a contest among your readers to come up with an appropriate name. Nothing comes to mind immediately, but I am sure others can come up with something.
ReplyDeleteMichael:
DeleteOrange peel would mean serious cooking (peeling and orange????)
I would hate to think what names would be suggested for a cooking school run by me.
Very lovely, indeed :) So, are the cranberries dry when you grind them?
ReplyDeleteJudy:
DeleteNope, not dried cranberries. Just the Ocean Spray cranberries you find refrigerated in the supermarket.
Oh Hail the Cranberry, the mighty ruby toned beauty!!
ReplyDeleteI bow to your recipe a la mini-marshmallows!!
Ron:
DeleteSo sad. Nothing left over...
CONGRATULATIONS!! This looks delicious, Mitchell. Your mother-in-law would be proud!
ReplyDeleteWhen can we enroll in your cooking school?
Jim:
DeleteWell, I think you've just graduated from my cooking school. This was it!
It looks.........ah, can't think of the right word. Pity we don't have a meat grinder.
ReplyDeleteAndrew:
DeleteThe meat grinder seems to be a requirement. I tried it a couple of times away from home and it just wasn't the same.
And here in south Texas we lowly folks had tamales... with not a hint of cranberries. Hey... we just heard from friends of ours who will be coming to Spain soon (not sure when)... they are staying somewhere between Seville and Granada. I know... a lot of territory.... but as much as I wish it were us, they will love your part of the world.
ReplyDeleteSharon:
DeleteWe had a mix of traditions this year, but did manage to sneak in some of our own Christmas Day. (And we're heading to Sevilla for Three Kings Day!)
Your culinary delights never fail to impress and inspire us.
ReplyDeleteSpo:
DeleteYes, people have told me for years that I should have my own cooking show. (Oh, come to think of it, that's a bold-faced lie.)
I would try it, but I'm not a fan of marshmallows. Still, I like the pineapple idea...
ReplyDeleteWalt the Fourth:
DeleteIn my expert opinion, you could omit the marshmallows and not miss much.
Excellent work, Mitchell. I love Cranberry Salad, and congrats on getting the little marshmallows!
ReplyDeleteLinda:
DeleteAnd after all that marshmallow fuss, I was reminded that down here marshmallows (although rare) are called "nubes" (clouds). AND I was told of a sweets shop that usually has them!