35 days to go...

I'm getting ready for Christmas: I've bought two packets of tissues in festive boxes, some brandy snaps and some sausagemeat. All impulse buys. I have also purchased a small chest (titter titter) freezer for the garage which I am going to fill with festive food. Starting with a delectable cranberry compote to accompany your hot turkey and cold leftovers.

Cranberry compote

Cranberry compote

150g dried cranberries

grated rind and juice of 2 oranges

half a pint of ginger wine

1 teaspoon ground ginger

4 tablespoons dark brown sugar

2 teaspoons arrowroot

Place everything except the arrowroot in a pan and slowly bring to the boil, stirring occasionally. Cover and simmer for about 15 minutes until the cranberries are tender but not mushy. Meanwhile, mix the arrowroot with a little water, tip it into the pan and keep stirring until the mixture thickens. 

Next time: Gravy. Make it ahead to save you time and last minute lumpy gravy disaster.