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Friday, November 4, 2011

50 Women Game-Changers (in Food): #22 Amanda Hesser - Cranberry Liqueur

In May '11, Gourmet posted a list of 50 Women Game-Changers (in Food) that runs the gamut from food writers to cookbook authors to television personalities to restauranteurs to chefs to food bloggers.  Some are a given.  Some are controversial.  Speaking the names of some brings fond childhood memories.  Speaking the names of others will make some readers cringe.  And of course, some of our favorites were not even included.  We food-lovers are a passionate bunch of people and whether we agree or disagree, every woman on this list has earned her place for a reason.  Being a woman who is passionate about food (cooking, eating, talking about, writing about, photographing), when I caught wind of Mary from One Perfect Bite's idea of cooking/blogging her way through each of these 50 women...one per week...I knew I wanted to join her.  Many of these women paved the way for us in culinary school, in the kitchen, in cookbooks, in food writing, and on television and I think it is a fabulous way to pay tribute to their efforts.  Some of the women on the list have been tops with me for years.  Some I have heard of (perhaps even seen, read, or cooked from) before.  And there are even a handful that I am not familiar with at all.  I excited to educate myself on each of these women game-changers and hope you look forward to reading along.  We are going in order from 1 to 50.
the "Gourmet" prompt...
22. Amanda Hesser- The New York Times food writer’s genius Food 52 combines blog with community with recipe trove with contests with shopping. Oh, and her Essential New York Times Cook Book won the 2011 James Beard Award in the General Cooking category.

When I hear the name Amanda Hesser, I think simply Food 52.  It's not a place I've spent much time in the past, but I know lots of people who have and who have earned a place in the Food 52 cookbook.  She grew up in a family where everybody cooked.  She is the former food editor at the New York Times.  She wrote the latest edition of The Essential New York Times Cookbook (following in the footsteps of the great Craig Claiborne).  Many of you may recognize her from Julie & Julia...she played herself in the movie adaptation of the book.  Her name is synonymous with food and I'm happy that this has given me a chance to learn a bit more about her.
Cranberry Liqueur
yield: ~2 c.

2 c. cranberries
1 c. + 2 Tbs. sugar
½ c. water
12 oz. vodka
2 cinnamon sticks
Combine cranberries, sugar, and water in a saucepan and bring to a boil.  Boil until cranberries are soft and start to pop, 5-10 minutes.

Transfer to the jar of a blender or food processor and puree.  Pour into a jar.  Add vodka and cinnamon sticks.  Refrigerate for at least three days and up to several weeks. 

Strain through a sieve (use fine mesh lined w/ a cheesecloth if you don't want any straggling seeds) before serving.  Refrigerate or store at room temperature for up to a year.
I thought this was great sipped cold just as is.  I didn't line my sieve with cheesecloth, so I did have a few seeds floating around...but I thought it was rustic and beautiful.  You could use this in a cocktail like a...


Cranberry Cosmopolitan (from Cooking Light Annual Recipes 2004): Place some crushed ice in a cocktail shaker.  Add ½ cup Cranberry Liqueur, ¼ cup Cointreau, & 2 Tbs. freshly squeezed lime juice.  Shake it up and strain into 2 martini glasses.

I like the idea of making it to give as a holiday gift.  Bottle it or jar it and put on a pretty label with instructions for storage on the back.
Who is cooking along with these 50 Women Game-Changers?

I am sharing this post with:
Katherine Martinelli Friday Blog Hop: DIY
fridaypotluck Foodie Friday Logo 2 friday food at mom trends gallery of favorites weekend cooking

Would you like to comment?

  1. I'm not familiar with her (and I saw Julie and Julia on a plane so I missed some details!) but this looks absolutely gorgeous. It'd be a good base for my Christmas champagne cocktails.

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  2. This looks like something I would love! Great idea on making it Christmas gifts.

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  3. I was interested to learn more about Amanda Hesser - I had heard of her, but had not connected all the things she has done! Love the Cranberry Liqueur - it just says 'Christmas' to me, and it sounds so delicious. I really like how you have packaged it for giving! This post would be perfect for the Gallery of Favorites this week, if you have time, as we are doing a themed link up for holiday posts. Hope to 'see' you there :)

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  4. Okay, so I made cranberry liqueur last year and it was basically buy some vodka, pour it in a container, slice cranberries in half and add to vodka, then let steep for about 30 days. To be honest, it was disgusting! This recipe is 100 million times better. I definitely think the sugar in this recipe would make the difference.

    A

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  5. I was so excited to see this ever since you said you were going to make it. What a color. I want to make it and serve it at Thanksgiving, but it would make a great holiday gift, too. Maybe I could use it in my cranberry sauce, to 'kick it up a notch'!

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  6. I am glad that you showed us a recipe to use this holiday treat Heather. I hope you had a cosmo for your birthday:D

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  7. As I stroll along the posts of the 50 Women in Food, I find again another recipe I missed in their book.

    Absolutely stunning Heather. And just in time for the holidays.
    Sam

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  8. Super idea, Heather, and in time for Christmas, too. The color is gorgeous. I did something similar with rhubarb, but it took a year in the fridge! It's ready to use now though.

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  9. Hesser's NY Times cookbook is indeed amazing - both delicious and so readable. Never thought to do the liqueur... but it's never too late. It's so very pretty.

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  10. What a beautiful homemade Christmas gift this would make - love the color!

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  11. Thank you for introducing us to her!

    ps I am giving away custom business cards. Stop by if you can!

    beholdthemetatron.com

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  12. I love this, it is similar to Lemoncello, except it doesnt take as long.I printed it out. I may make this and give it away for christmas. Thanks for sharing.

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  13. Such lovely photos - they look like pieces of art never mind the yummy cranberry drink!

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  14. What a gorgeous color. The liqueur looks like a liquified garnet and it comes just in time for the holidays. What a great choice. Have a wonderful weekend. Blessings...Mary

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  15. I can't believe how easy this is, I don't know why I thought it would require more ingredients or be harder. I can't wait to make some cranberry cocktails, that cran cosmo sounds great, or even just add cranberry juice for a super Cranny Cape Cod!

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  16. Heather this look delicious, I love cranberries and lovely colour! gloria

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  17. I love it!! It make a really nice gift.

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  18. Gorgeous pictures--and looks soooo good.  Just ordered 10 lbs of cranberries, so I may need to do this for a holiday project!

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  19. well, forget cranberry juice with vodka as my favorite drink...this might just revolutionize my life!

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  20. I went though a liqueur making phase a long time ago. This post makes me wonder if I should go through another phase.

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  21.  I don't drink alcohol, but this is something that I'd love to try - it looks very tempting! And it's a wonderful idea for a gift
    The photos are stunning!

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  22. What a neat list.  I'll be looking forward to more of your posts.  Thanks.

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  23. I was thinking the same thing as Lisa - this would be a great cocktail for Thanksgiving. On that day, most people love cranberries. I'm enjoying your posts on the 50 Women.

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  24. I think I have found the cocktail I am going to serve at our Thanksgiving dinner.  Thanks!

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  25. This looks like a great gift indeed :) 

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  26. I'm glad to hear your thoughts on the book - I really want to find it.  I'm searching the library today...otherwise, Amazon here I come ;)
    ...Heather Schmitt-Gonzálezblog: girlichef
    twitter: @girlichef

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  27. What an awesome idea to cook the 50 game-changers. I remember that article in Gourmet.

    Anyway, I think I need to make this.I love cranberries. I've made blackberry and blueberry liqueur but never cranberry. I bet it's delicious.

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  28. I saw a similar recipe in Yankee magazine years ago and always wanted to make it. Maybe this year!

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  29. Years ago I read her book Cooking for Mr. Latte and thought it was such fun.  Nice to see you highlight her work here, and that cranberry liquer isn't too shabby either :)

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  30. Yeah, it would have been easy to miss her then...it was just a quick cameo, I believe.

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  31. That's strange...aren't liqueurs usually sweet?  That just sounds more like a flavored vodka.  I don't think you'd be disappointed with this one.

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  32. That's one reason that I chose this recipe, because I'm so impatient when it comes to making "infused" alcohols and most of them make  you wait for so long!  ha ha ha...

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  33. Oh, definitely!  I found that topping it off with a good splash of club soda is really tasty, too!!

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  34. Ohhh yeahh, I can just imagine sipping one of these on a fall evening by the fire pit..send me one over (if we were neighbours)

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  35. I must have scrolled right past this.  This is PERFECT for a Thanksgiving cocktail.  Will definitely be making for our feast this year!  LOVE the deep red/cranberry color!

    Krista
    http://www.the-not-so-desperate-chef-wife.com

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