While cooking before and after the holidays, I incorporated fresh cranberries, dried cranberries, cranberry juice, and cranberry sauce!
CRANBERRY POMEGRANATE COSMOPOLITANS
2 cups vodka
1 cup orange liqueur
1 cup cranberry juice cocktail
1/2 cup pomegranate juice
1/2 cup freshly squeezed lime juice
Combine the vodka, orange liqueur, cranberry juice, pomegranate juice and lime juice in a large pitcher. Fill a cocktail shaker half full with ice, pour the cocktail mixture in and shake for a full 30 seconds. Pour into martini glasses.
Enjoy!
Recipe adapted from Ina Garten, 2008
www.foodnetwork.com/ina-garten/recipes/
TURKEY MEATBALLS IN CRANBERRY BARBECUE SAUCE
1 can (16 ounces) whole berry cranberry sauce
1/2 cup barbecue sauce
2 egg whites
1.25 pounds lean ground turkey
2 green onions, chopped
2 teaspoons grated orange peel
1 1/2 teaspoons soy sauce
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Combine cranberry and barbecue sauces in a slow cooker. Cover, cook on high for 20 to 25 minutes, or until cranberry sauce melts and is heated through.
Meanwhile, place egg whites in a medium bowl, beat lightly. Add turkey, green onions, orange peel, soy sauce and pepper. Mix until well blended. Shape into meatballs.
Spray a skillet with cooking spray, heat over medium heat 8 to 10 minutes or until meatballs are no longer pink in the center, turning to brown evenly. Add to heated sauce in the slow cooker, stir gently to coat.
Turn the slow cooker to low, cover and cook for 3 minutes. Remove meatballs to a serving platter.
Enjoy!
Recipe adapted from The Crock Pot cookbook
www.crock-pot.com/accessories/cookbooks/SCBESTLOV.html
CRANBERRY AND LIME LEAF DRUNKEN CHICKEN
1 roasting chicken, giblets removed
2 cups cranberry juice
1 (750 milliliter) bottle of red wine
zest and juice from 2 oranges
zest and juice from 2 lemons
1 cup fresh cranberries
1/4 cup kaffir lime leaves, finely chopped
2 tablespoons lemongrass paste
2 tablespoons ginger paste
2 tablespoons whole black peppercorns
1 tablespoon whole black peppercorns
1 tablespoon salt
At least 8 hours before serving, place all ingredients in a bowl, large enough to hold chicken and liquid. Cover and refrigerate at least 6 hours or overnight. When ready to cook, heat oven to 400F.
Pour marinating mixture through a sieve. Discard liquid, and put solid remainder in chicken cavity.
Place chicken in a roasting pan and cook uncovered until an internal thermometer reads 160F and skin is golden and crisp 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
Let chicken sit for 10 minutes before carving.
Enjoy!
Recipe adapted from Oprah Magazine, November 2010
www.oprah.com/food.html
CRANBERRY SALAD DRESSING
Combine 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar, 2 tablespoons honey and 1/4 cup cranberries in a saucepan, bring to a simmer over medium heat. Turn off heat and allow to cool, then combine with 2 chopped dates, 1/3 cup olive oil and a pinch of salt.
Enjoy!
APPLE CRANBERRY SLAW
1/3 cup Italian dressing
2 tablespoons maple flavored pancake syrup
1/2 (14 ounce) package of coleslaw blend
1 apple, chopped
1/2 cup dried cranberries
Mix all ingredients together.
Enjoy!
ROASTED CARROTS WITH DRIED CRANBERRIES AND SMOKED ALMONDS
7 carrots, peeled and cut into slices
2 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
1/4 cup chopped shallots
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/3 cup smoked almonds, coarsely chopped
Heat oven to 400F.
Place carrots in medium baking dish and drizzle with honey and olive oil. Sprinkle with thyme and toss to coat. Sprinkle with shallots and dried cranberries. Bake 15 to 18 minutes, or until carrots are tender. Sprinkle with smoked almonds.
Enjoy!
Recipe adapted from The Arkansas Democrat Gazette, November 2013
www.arkansasonline.com/news/features/food/
CRANBERRY GOODNESS
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 cup quick oats
3 tablespoons flour
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 1/2 cups fresh cranberries
3 apples, peeled and diced
1/2 cup pecans, chopped
1/2 cup butter, melted
Heat oven to 350F.
Coat a 3 quart casserole dish with nonstick spray.
In a large mixing bowl, combine sugars, oats, flour and cinnamon. Add fruits and nuts, mixing well. Spread mixture in prepared dish. Drizzle melted butter over the top.
Bake for 30 minutes.
Enjoy!
Recipe adapted from The Arkansas Democrat Gazette, November 2011
www.arkansasonline.com/news/features/food/
SPARKLING CRANBERRIES
Cook 1 cup of pure maple syrup in a saucepan over medium-low heat, 1 to 2 minutes. (Don’t let the syrup get too hot or cranberries will pop). Remove from heat, stir in 2 cups of fresh cranberries.
Cover and chill 8 to 12 hours. Place 1 cup of sugar in a large bowl. Drain cranberries in a colander (about 15 minutes). Add 4 to 5 cranberries at a time to the sugar, gently toss to coat.
Repeat with remaining cranberries. Place cranberries in a single layer on a parchment lined baking sheet. Let stand until completely dry.
Enjoy!
Recipe adapted from Southern Living, November 2013
www.southernliving.com/food/
