Canal House's Cranberry-Port Gelée Recipe on Food52 (2024)

AMAZING! I think I'm ruined for other cranberry dishes now. I followed the recipe to a T and it turned out beautifully. I can see experimenting with other wines/spices/herbs would be fun in the future... This was an excellent addition to my Thanksgiving spread this year! And it is especially delicious on leftover bread smothered with brie.

This is the best cranberry gelee we have ever had!!! We did have to modify it for the ingredients we had on hand as we decided to make it last minute. We used a simple red blend wine. And we didn't have juniper berries so we used cardamom pods, pink peppercorns, a Cinnamon stick and a bay leaf! I know it's different than yours, but you were the inspiration! Thanks! It set SO WELL and is delicious!

Licia November 26, 2021

Made this, once again (10 years in a row), and I am amazed, year after year, how people respond to this dish. Intense flavors, great texture, amazing taste... Spread it over cheese, in sandwiches, over mashed potatoes, on your charcuterie board... This recipe is so good that it deserves its place all year long and not just at Thanksgiving. Can also be made with frozen cranberries so pack them up in your freezer and make this a staple at your table.

I've always been kinda "meh" about homemade cranberry sauce. But this was a revelation. I never want to eat any other kind cranberry sauce ever again. I had no problems and got a nice firm set. I did cook it much longer than indicated until all cranberries are popped and collapsed. I was also VERY aggressive about straining the results, pushing as much pulp through as possible. Mine was about the consistency of applesauce when I poured into jars.

I've made this successfully numerous times. I cook 10 mins, blend with high speed blender, then pass it through a fine mesh sieve. This year, in an attempt to reduce the carb count at the table, I made it with Classic Lakanto sugar substitute (combination of erythritol and monkfruit.) It dissolved without difficulty and gelled up as usual. The tastes is slightly different, but still good.

jjr November 25, 2020

Made this today and it turned out perfectly. Following tips from reviewers, I added one ounce more cranberries and cooked the sugar, port, peppers and juniper berries for 5 minutes longer. The sauce was thickening by the end of cooking. I used a food mill with finest screen and it could not have been easier. Used Trader Joe's Ruby Port. Thanks for all the tips.

I think I solved the set issue. The first time I made this (last year) it was perfect! Beautiful color, smoky flavor, set up like it came right out of the can!... a real winner. This year, it did not set. I made a batch yesterday and this morning it was the consistency of cold honey... though still delicious. I rewarmed the sauce and added 1 tablespoon of gelatin that I had bloomed in about 1/4 water. Happy to report that it is on its way to being jellied! It might not be as firm as the canned stuff, but it is holding its shape.

enbe November 17, 2018

Looking this recipe up for Thanksgiving because it's been my go-to for the past few years. Absolutely delicious.

I've made this for Thanksgiving as long as the recipe has been in print - delicious. I've made it as written, but also with any red wine I have around the house and extra aromatics like a strip of orange peel, star anise, slice of ginger, etc. Thinking of lime and cardamom this time... Always comes out divine.

Any thoughts on making this with erythritol (fake sugar)? I think the taste would be fine, but do you think it would set as well?

I use a clean 15oz diced-tomato can as a mold - so it has the rings when I unmold it and display standing on a plate. Fold seem to love the rings . . .

Have been making it for the fourth year in a raw! Absolutely the best!

Just made this again; tasted it somewhat sweet so I added fresh juiced cranberries and some pulp to the mix--came out great! Started jelling almost before I finished putting it thru the food mill. I should have done a final fine sieve step to eliminate some of the tiny pulp residue but that would have reduced my overall amount. Since I use the cutest little cranberry William Sonoma Cranberry mold, needed what I had. For others, if you have extra cranberries, add a little extra to the pot to ensure it will gel! Added some Satsuma juice & peel, ginger slice, star anise and Grains of Paradise to what is already in the recipe.

Robo November 15, 2017

Anyone notice any difference between using Tawny vs Ruby Port in this recipe, or does everyone just use the domestic stuff?

I usually use Merlot, with great success.

Rob November 14, 2017

I have reviewed the comments and was wondering if there is a community agreement as to what to use for the alcohol? Are most people using the port?

should this be covered before going in the fridge

Lovely dish. I used a food mill instead of a strainer and it worked perfectly.

I made this for our Christmas turkey. It was delicious but mine didn't gel up either. I will certainly try it again but go the blender route to see if I can get it to gel.

I cooked mine for a full 10 minutes. I found it was gelling even before being removed from the heat. Borrowing the idea from Janet L Davies, I used a high power blender to liquify it, and then ran it through a sieve to remove the ground up spices. I chilled in an bowl with scalloped edges, and then unmolded it for serving. I thought is was terrific, and the star of my table. Will definitely be making this again.