I should start off by giving my Mother an apology because I totally changed her beloved cranberry recipe.  However, I must say, I was in complete shock at the amount of sugar from the 1 cup of maple syrup and 1 cup of raspberry/cranberry juice her recipe called for.  I wanted to share her recipe with you but I have been duped by my Mother!

I can’t believe all these years I have been eating this unsuspecting load of sugar!!  I don’t even want to consider the possibility she used that pseudo maple syrup made with corn syrup and coloring.  I am in a tizzy over here.  I suppose it could be worse and had bleached white sugar.  It’s ok Mom, I still love you because I know you were thinking it was actually a healthy version.

My Mom (and Dad) have come a long way in understanding my lifestyle.  Although, she still asks me on occasion, “Don’t you ever crave a hoagie?”  That’s the New Yorker in her.  No mom, for the 100th time I don’t really crave subs.  I do crave many other things but hoagies are not one of them.

Ingredients

1 cup cranberries (fresh or frozen)
2-3 oranges juice and pulp
1 1/2 cups water
1 apple shredded
1/2 cup raw walnuts (soaked is best) (click here to learn about soaking nuts)
2 tablespoon maple syrup
dash of stevia
2 tablespoons chia seeds (learn more)
optional 1 tablespoon goji berry powder (learn more)

Directions

1.  Squeeze juice and pulp of 2-3 oranges (3/4 cup) in a saucepan.  Add 1 1/2 cups water.
2.  Add cranberries, apple, and maple syrup. Bring to a boil than simmer till berries pop (5-8 min).
3.  Take pan off heat and add walnuts.  Pour in a glass dish than add chia seeds and goji berry powder.
4.  Refrigerate overnight or for several hours.

Tips: If you did not have time to soak the walnuts, add them in step two so that the heat will cut the bitter flavor.  I suggest using a sweet apple verses tart (unless you like the pucker look, then go tart). Careful with the stevia.  Really, all you need is a dash.  So go easy and taste as you go.  My daughter, who LOVES her Grandma’s Cranberry relish and begs for it all year long, was finally satisfied with my third attempt of this healthified version.

With a Spoonful or two of Cranberry Relish,

Dawn