Neil Gaiman's cranberry jelly (with Todd Klein variant)

With autumn gaining momentum, we thought we'd share a Neil Gaiman recipe (originally from Beat This by Ann Hodgman) to get you prepared for any and all Thanksgivings you might be attending. It's an ideal recipe: simple, good, and paired with good music.

Musical Pairing:

• There are lots of options, but Lou Reed's Coney Island Baby fills the sails. Gaiman listened to this album while writing his closing letter to readers at the end of The Sandman series.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. of fresh cranberries
• 2 cups water
• 2 cups sugar
• a pinch of salt

Instructions:

1. Wash the cranberries and remove any soft ones
2. Bring water to boil
3. Add cranberries, sugar, and salt
4. "Boil for a long time. No, longer than that. About twenty-five minutes, skimming off the pink froth when you notice it, and stirring whenever you remember.  It's done when cranberries get thick and syrupy." NG drips some in a cup of cold water to see if it's done. If the drop holds its shape, it's done. If you're not sure if it has held it's shape, it's NOT done.
5. Let cranberry jelly cool off a bit so that it won't melt anything in the next step
6. Pour jelly into a mold
7. "Realise you don't have a jelly mould, but remember that there's always some tupperware somewhere, so you let the cranberry jelly cool off just a little (to avoid melting the tupperware. I know it's not likely. But I worry) and then pour it in."
8. Put in the fridge for a day
9. Put exterior surface of mold in hot water for a few seconds and then turn it upside down over a plate to release
10. Serve, sit back, and let the thankfulness wash over everything.

For the Todd Klein variant, add apples and oranges, and serve with a stunningly, hand lettered placard.

For yet another variant, use 2/3 cup honey instead of sugar, and add 1/2 cup orange juice, 2 tsp finely grated ginger, and 1 tsp orange zest.