Doggy's Boggy Drunken Berries

     Dexter loves cranberries, and he thinks they should be eaten more often than Christmas and Thanksgiving. So he's proposing July 4 as National Cranberry Day. Here's his favorite recipe:

3 C fresh or frozen cranberries (about 12 ounces)

1 Tbsp. minced ginger (Dexter uses bottled)

3 C dry red wine - you could substitute some orange liqueur for some of the wine

1 C sugar (wimps can use more)

3/4 tsp. curry powder

1/2 tsp. five spice powder (Dexter says this is essential and you’ll end up using it for lots    

        of things)

1/4 cup chopped crystallized ginger - if anybody can tell Dexter an easy way to chop 

        this stuff, he’ll hump your leg forever

     Put wine and sugar in a saucepan and heat to a boil, stirring. When sugar has dissolved add cranberries and ginger, turn the heat down to maintain a simmer, and stir until the cranberries begin to pop.

      Keep simmering until the mixture reduces to your liking, probably about 30 minutes, then add the curry powder, five spice powder, and crystallized ginger. Cool it off a little so you don’t burn your tongue, or eat it cold. Try and think of lots of ways to use it. Dexter likes to eat it with cheese and crackers. You’ll end up with about 3 1/2 cups.