Cranberry sauce with hibiscus flower and orange

Cranberry Sauce with Hibiscus Flower and Orange Recipe

This sauce combines the freshness and acidity of cranberries with the floral touch of hibiscus and the citrus aroma of orange to create a natural delight that enhances any dish. Perfect to accompany meats or as a special touch in desserts, this recipe is simple and offers benefits thanks to its ingredients.

Preparation time

Find out how much time you need to enjoy this homemade sauce.

• Preparation: 15 minutes
• Cooking: 20 minutes
• Total: 35 minutes
• Servings: 4
• Difficulty: Easy

This time allows you to carefully perform each step to obtain the perfect texture and flavor.

Ingredients

For the sauce

• 6 cups fresh cranberries (600 g)
• 4 medium oranges (560 g)
• 8 pitted dates (80 g)
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• ½ cup water (120 ml)
• Dried hibiscus flower (optional amount for infusing)

If you can't find fresh cranberries, you can use frozen ones. Just make sure to thaw them before cooking to maintain the proper texture.

Utensils we will use

• Medium pot
• Fine sieve
• Peeling knife
• Cutting board
• Fine grater (like Microplane)
• Blender or food processor
• Wooden spoon or spatula

If you don't have a Microplane grater, a common grater will work just as well to get the orange zest. For the blender, any household model will work to achieve a smooth sauce.

Preparation

1. Prepare the citrus fruits

1. Grate the peels: Use a fine grater to remove only the orange part of the skin of two oranges. This zest provides intense aromas and flavors.
2. Peeling and segmenting: Peel the oranges with a knife, carefully removing the white pith, which is bitter. Separate into segments and remove any seeds.

2. Cook the mixture

1. Combine ingredients: Place the zest, orange segments, cranberries, chopped dates to facilitate their integration, cinnamon, and water in the pot.
2. Cook over medium-low heat: Heat slowly and cook until the cranberries burst and the mixture begins to thicken, approximately 20 minutes. This is the ideal time for infusion if you decide to use hibiscus flower: add it to the water beforehand and strain it before adding the other ingredients.

3. Blend the sauce

1. Let cool: Remove the mixture from the heat and let it rest for 15 minutes to avoid accidents with the blender and achieve a better texture.
2. Process: Pour into the blender and start on low speed, gradually increasing to achieve a homogeneous and shiny puree. In 10 to 15 seconds you will get a smooth texture.

To finish and serve

After blending the sauce, adjust the consistency by adding a little more water if it's too thick or cooking it for a few additional minutes if it's too liquid. Serve warm, at room temperature, or cold, as you prefer. This sauce is a perfect complement for dishes like pork medallions or to give a special touch to your homemade desserts.

Nutritional Information

• Calories: 40 kcal
• Proteins: 1 g
• Fats: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 10 g
• Fiber: 2 g

These values are approximate per serving and may vary depending on the size of the fruits and the exact amount of ingredients used.

5 keys for cranberry sauce to retain its texture and flavor

It is essential to follow some tips for the result to be a perfect sauce, with a balance of flavors and a pleasant texture.

• Do not overcook the cranberries: If cooked too long, the sauce can become too liquid and lose its fresh flavor. Make sure they only burst and the mixture thickens slightly.
• Incorporate the hibiscus flower correctly: The infusion should be made beforehand in water to release its aroma and color without becoming bitter.
• Use of dates: Removing the pit and chopping the dates facilitates their integration and provides natural sweetness, avoiding refined sugar.
• Grate the zest without the white pith: Only the orange zest provides flavor and avoids bitter tones in the sauce.
• Cool before blending: This prevents accidents and helps achieve an ideal texture without overheating the blender.

When is it ideal to enjoy cranberry sauce with hibiscus flower and orange?

This sauce is an excellent option for celebrations where the main menu features white or red meats such as turkey or pork, typically at holiday dinners. Its citrus and slightly floral flavor provides a perfect balance with savory dishes and can also be enjoyed over soft cheeses at informal gatherings or family get-togethers. Furthermore, due to its freshness and color, it is ideal for the autumn and winter seasons, when citrus fruits and cranberries are in season and provide flavor and natural energy.

Comparative table between cranberry sauce with hibiscus flower and orange and similar recipes

Share your experience

The kitchen is for experimenting and sharing. Leave your comment and share your own little tricks! Did you try this cranberry sauce with hibiscus and orange? Tell us how it turned out, if you found interesting variations or with what dishes your family best paired it.

Culinary glossary

• Zest: Outer part of citrus peel, which provides aroma and flavor without the bitterness of the white pith.
• Hibiscus flower: Dried hibiscus flower, used for infusions and sauces for its tart flavor and vibrant red color.
• Simmer over medium-low heat: Cook slowly to prevent ingredients from burning or cooking too quickly.
• Blend: Process food until a homogeneous mixture is obtained using a blender or food processor.
• Segments: Natural portions formed by peeling and dividing citrus fruit, avoiding the skin and seeds.