christmas at barack's house

OK. I won't be @ Barack's house for Xmas. But I did a card from Michelle. All right, it was only an e-card, but I certainly never got one from Laura Barbara Bush. One wonders if the Obama's will be able to dispense with the million dollars or so we spend on White House Christmas cards every year and just send out e-greeeting? Hallmark would not be happy. But what's the saying, times are tough.


One of my favorite things about roast turkey is the cranberry sauce. Cranberry sauce is one of the easiest things in the world to make, although I jazzed mine up a bit this year after reading a friend's, one who lives in Maine, recipe. Her sauce is made with organic cranberries and maple syrup, lot's of maple syrup, to the point where an individual serving cost something like $4. I don't like cranberry sauce that much to buy a gallon of maple syrup and reduce it and I don't make it Maine very often where the price might be more reasonable, but there are 2 new secret ingredients in my sauce. You'll never guess.

Christmas @ Barack's Cranberry Sauce.

1 package of cranberries.
1 cup of turbinado sugar.
2 cups of port wine (it must be drinkable).
1/2 cup of Alaskan spruce tip syrup (in memory of our vanquished foe).
1/4 cup dried tart michigan cherries.
1/4 vanilla bean split.
zest of 1 orange and 1 lemon.
juice of the orange and lemon.

Soak the cherries and the vanilla bean in the port wine overnight. Then place the cranberries, sugar, and citrus juices in a non-reactive pot, cover and cook until the berries pop. Turn the heat down to a simmer, add the cherries, port wine, vanilla bean, and zest. Simmer until thick like jelly (will coat the back of a wooden spoon). Pack in Obama jars or glass dishes.