homemade cranberry sauce

if you're like me, your childhood thanksgiving included cranberry sauce straight from the can.  i accepted this as the only cranberry sauce that one had on thanksgiving.  when i "grew up," i had thanksgiving at a friends house.  he made a cranberry sauce from (gasp) real cranberries.  his concoction was a bit too sweet (i couldn't get over the cloying taste of the grand marnier) and had a bit too much going on for me (raisins, walnuts, etc.).  but, i happily copied down his recipe and below is my adaptation.  

its simple and refreshing and its almost as easy as opening a can . . .

Homemade Cranberry Sauce

1 cup sugar

1 cup water

1 12 ounce bag of fresh cranberries

1/2 lemon - juiced

a bit of lemon zest

1/2 orange - juiced

1 medium apple - chopped

1 teaspoon nutmeg

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 cup brandy (optional)

Combine water and sugar in saucepan on medium-high heat on the stovetop.  Stir occasionally until sugar is completely dissolved.  Add remaining ingredients and turn heat to medium.  Stir frequently.  Cook until cranberries and apples are soft -- approximately 20 to 30 minutes.