1 c. water
1 c. sugar
1 (12 oz.) pkg. fresh or frozen cranberries
1/2 c. apricot preserves
2 tbsp. lemon juice
1/3 c. slivered almonds, toasted
1 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese

Boil the water and sugar together in a medium saucepan for 5 minutes. Add the rest of the ingredients to sugar water and boil 10 to 15 minutes until thickened. Cool. Spread the sauce over the cream cheese and serve with crackers of your choice.

Yield: 3 cups.

Note: The sauce, minus the cream cheese, may be served with poultry or pork.