Cranberries again!
Seriously, I just realized it has been almost a year since I shared my recipe for Cranberry Bread and told you the story of why cranberries feature strongly in my life!
It has been, without a doubt, the most challenging year of a lifetime. We have all learned to live, work, play, and pray in new ways. Within the chaos however, I believe that our traditions not only mark the passing of time, but help keep us grounded despite the changes that are happening all around us.
A short story For many years now I have been helping to cook a Sunday Supper, open to anyone who is hungry, as part of an outreach program by Chicago Sinai Congregation and hosted by Fourth Presbyterian Church. Prior to the pandemic, our monthly supper brought together a group of “cooking” friends in the basement kitchen of the church. Our mutual goal is to create a Sunday meal that is tasty, healthy and made one feel the love that comes from sharing homemade food.
My commitment to being in that kitchen every month when I could, became an important tradition in my life. Then Covid hit, our lives changed and we had to stay away for many months.
Recently, we have been able to return to the church and the kitchen. It will take time before everything is back to normal, but the time will come when the dining room will return to being full and we will able to say "hello, enjoy your meal, thank you for coming”, in person.
An annual tradition of my own making has thankfully not been Covid restricted. I have been able to continue baking Cranberry Bread in the Fall when cranberries are harvested. As I cut the berries in two before washing out the seeds and adding them to the batter, I catch a glimpse of the leaves on the trees outside, the colors changing against a vivid blue sky. That’s Fall and it’s cranberry season.
In the spirit of this tradition, try a taste Fall without pumpkin and spice, and pick up our Cranberry Walnut Bread. Each one yields between 10-12 generous slices and are perfect as a treat for your family, or a Holiday gift for your friends. We like to toast slices for breakfast or an afternoon snack. Each loaf can be frozen for about 3 weeks.
As this tradition coincides with the harvest and the arrival of fresh cranberries, after Christmas the breads will disappear again until next year. Get them while you can!
Enjoy,
With thanks, Ellen