Cranberries don’t have to be the only fruit to grace your Thanksgiving table. People forget that plums are readily available this season and are beautiful fruit with rich color that can enhance the holiday table. I was thinking about Plum Sauce rather than Cranberry Sauce this year to change things up. You can start ahead and make plenty to send home with guests as well, since this will be a unique treat compared to the expected cranberries. It’s also great to top on your bagels and cream cheese the next morning. Plum Sauce will make a lovely Thanksgiving party favor or thank you gift.
This Plum Sauce recipe is sweet and spicy in one, but it is not like a Chinese plum sauce as it has the flavors of warm holiday spices rather than the more pungent and hot spices like garlic and chili. This Thanksgiving Plum Sauce is made more like cranberry sauce and compliments your turkey. Serve it warm and lavishly pour it on your turkey. It’s a rich and elegant sauce that is meant to be devoured and only a bounteous serving will do it justice.
Ingredients
2 shallots, peeled and diced
1 tablespoon butter
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup apple juice
2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
1 Star of Anise
1 tsp. grated orange peel
3 large plums, diced
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
Method
- In a Dutch Oven, sauté shallots in butter until lightly browned.
- Add cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, apple juice, and brown sugar, stir.
- Add Star of Anise and orange peels and give a quick stir
- Add plums and simmer until soft and falling apart, about 20 minutes.
- Stir in the vinegar.
- Serve warm.
