Spiced Cranberry Immune Building Relish*

One of the goals of an Ayurvedic meal is to balance the diet with daily consumption of the six main tastes; sweet, salty, sour, pungent, astringent and bitter; the use of a relish helps bring in these flavors. This version of cranberry sauce is rich in microbiome-loving polyphenols and Ayurveda’s traditional immune-enhancing ingredients such as dates and honey.*

INGREDIENTS:

1 cup of orange juice
1 cinnamon stick
4 cloves
2 cardamon seeds
1 star anise pod (optional)
1 teaspoon of fresh grated ginger or ½ teaspoon of fresh ginger juice
5 whole dates
1 lb bag of fresh cranberries
1 apple-peeled and chopped into inch-square chunks
1 tablespoon honey
Pinch salt

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Combine the orange juice and the spices in a small pan. Simmer together with the lid on for 5 minutes.
2. Remove from heat, add the dates and let the spices infuse and the dates soak for at least 4 hours and preferably overnight.
3. Strain the liquid to remove the spices (except the cinnamon stick) and dates.
4. Skin the dates, chop them up and add the fruit (cranberries, apples and dates) to the infused juice.
5. Partially cover and bring to a boil. Simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the fruit is cooked.
6. Add a pinch of salt and the honey once the sauce has cooled.
7. Refrigerate and enjoy. Combines well with rich foods such as meat and dairy.