Beyond Thankful, We had a week together... we hunted and fished and spent family time.   All our fish are catch.kiss.release.  AND released correctly where they kick off and go back to play with their friends.  We are lucky and blessed to live so close to the waterways with its bounties as we do. 

Can you list 10 things you are grateful for? 

Not to be outdone by the turkey, ham, green bean casserole, squash casserole, rice & gravy, creamed spinach, broccoli casserole, sweet potatoes or cranberry mold, the cranberry shine was a hit. Looking for something festive, it hit me in the grocery store a few weeks back with my dear sweet Patsy.  Well, it was yummy, here's the details...  *remember never, ever ever drink and drive, and never ever ever have the everclear near an open flame (give Molotov cocktail a google if you have any questions on this one)

What you will need:
1 bag fresh cranberries
1 cup white granulated sugar
juice of half a lemon
zest (large scrapes of the skin) of lemon, and orange
1 liter everclear
storage jar(s)

Simple syrup (equal parts sugar and water melted together) this takes about 2.5 cups simple syrup total  so 2.5 cups of water and 2.5 cups of granulated white sugar melted and cooled to make a syrup I usually make a cup at a time and just mix that much with the liquor part.

The know how:
Over low heat melt the sugar and cranberries and the juice from a half a lemon (if the seeds get in there it's ok, you will strain them out later) simmer this for about 1/2 and hour, similar to making preserves or fresh cranberry sauce I guess. this will thicken and turn into almost a jam.  Let cool. I let mine cool overnight.

Combine the mixture (once cool) to 1 liter everclear (grain alcohol, 180 proof - yes yikes) in a glass jar or two, or 3, just divide the cranberry mixture equally.  To this add a couple large zests of the lemon and the tangerine.  Put it in a cool dark place for a couple of weeks (you can shake it occasionally if this makes you happy)

So, after a couple of weeks, get ya a real fine mesh type strainer, and working in batches strain off the liquor from the "stuff"  throw the "stuff" away but keep the liquor part.  Combine 6/4 liquor to simple syrup to make the cranberry "moonshine".  Add another bit of the zestings of lemon or tangerine or even lime, whatever you have, and put in the freezer.  It will not freeze, best is to use a mason jar.  Whenever you pass the freezer, have a little "nip" here and there.  I make this about 2-3 cups at a time and leave the rest "brewing" without the sugar.  It gets better over time. 

What's the most important part to remember?  #everythinginmoderation #DONOTDRINKANDDRIVE


Happy Thanksgiving 2016 from the Island