Cranberry Jalapeno Relish

/in , , /by

Cranberries are rich in vitamin C, dietary fiber, and manganese.

I have been making this recipe for the last couple of years, and it has become a crowd favorite. It has a wonderful balance of tart and spice to compliment your Thanksgiving smorgasbord.

Ingredients

    • 1 12-ounce bag cranberries, fresh or frozen (thawed)
    • 1 teaspoon lime zest
    • 2 teaspoons lime juice
    • 1-2 fresh jalapeños, seeded and coarsely chopped
    • 1/4 cup of sugar

Directions

  1. Rinse and dry cranberries.
  2. Combine cranberries and jalapeno in a food processor. Pulse until coarsely chopped.
  3. Add combination and sugar to a small saucepan and heat on low heat for about 10 minutes until liquid releases from cranberries. Stir frequently until sugar dissolves.
  4. Remove from heat and add lime juice.
  5. Transfer to a serving dish and top with lime zest. 
  6. Serve cold or on top of low-fat cream cheese as a dip.

This cranberry relish pairs beautifully with turkey, as a spread for sandwiches or even as a taco topping.

KD

Orange Cranberry Sauce

/in , , , /by
This is another recipe I took to my family’s Thanksgiving dinner at my brother’s farm in Kansas. This recipe would be a great  ‘healthy’ addition to your Christmas menu too.

Orange Cranberry Sauce

 
Makes: 4 1/2 cups
Active Time:
Total Time:
Ingredients
4 medium navel oranges, divided
Water, as needed
2 12-ounce bags fresh cranberries (6 cups)
1 1/4 cups packed light brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
Pinch of salt
Preparation
  1. Use a sharp knife to slice the ends off 3 oranges and remove the peels and white pith; discard. Working over a bowl, cut the orange segments from their surrounding membranes. Squeeze the juice into the bowl before discarding the membranes. Leaving the segments in the bowl, pour the juice from the oranges into a measuring cup. Juice the remaining orange and add the juice to the measuring cup. If necessary, add water to make 2/3 cup liquid total. 

 

  1. Combine carrots, water and salt in a large skillet. Bring to a boil over medium high heat. Cover and cook until carrots are just tender, 6-8 minutes. Melt butter, combine with honey and cinnamon, pour over carrots. Remove from heat, you can keep the carrots warm in oven set on low temp 200-250 deg.
  2. Let cool for 10 minutes. Stir in the reserved orange segments. Serve warm, room temperature or cold.
Make Ahead Tip: Cover and refrigerate for up to 1 week.
Tip:Be sure to use a nonreactive pan baking dish or bowl—stainless-steel, enamel-coated or glass—when cooking with acidic food (citrus, cranberries, tomatoes) to prevent the food from reacting with the pan. Reactive pans, such as aluminum and cast-iron, can impart off colors and/or flavors. 

Nutrition 

Per ¼  cup: 89 calories; 0 g fat ( 0 g sat , 0 g mono ); 0 mg cholesterol; 23 g carbohydrates; 15 g added sugars; 0 g protein; 2 g fiber; 13 mg sodium; 101 mg potassium.Nutrition Bonus: Vitamin C (38% daily value)

 

cb

Pomegranate Molasses-Glazed Carrots with Pistachios

/in , , , /by

I love to try new recipes for the holidays. I offered to bring a vegetable dish and a fruit dish for my families Thanksgiving dinner at my brother’s farm in Kansas. Check out this great recipe for a new twist with carrots which was a big hit.  I will be sharing the cranberry sauce recipe later this week which I loved. Both of these recipes would be great ‘healthy’ additions to your Christmas menu.

Makes: 8 servings, 1/2 cup each
Active Time:
Total Time:

Ingredients:
2 pounds carrots, peeled and diagonally sliced (1/4-inch)
1/2 cup water
2 tablespoons pomegranate molasses (see Tip)
2 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons butter
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup chopped salted pistachios
2 tablespoons snipped fresh chives
Preparation
Combine carrots, water, pomegranate molasses, honey, butter, cinnamon and salt in a large skillet. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Cover and cook until the carrots are just tender, 6 to 8 minutes. Uncover and cook, stirring frequently, until the liquid is a syrupy glaze, 6 to 8 minutes more. Remove from heat and stir in pistachios and chives. Serve warm.  

Make Ahead Tip: Keep warm in a 225°F oven for up to 30 minutes.

Tip: Pomegranate molasses has a bright, tangy flavor. (Don’t confuse it with grenadine syrup, which contains little or no pomegranate juice.) Find it in Middle Eastern markets and some large supermarkets near the vinegar or molasses. To make your own: Simmer 4 cups pomegranate juice, uncovered, in a medium nonreactive saucepan over medium heat until thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, 45 to 50 minutes. (Do not let the syrup reduce too much or it will darken and become very sticky.) Makes about 1/2 cup. Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 months.

Nutrition
Per serving: 119 calories; 5 g fat ( 2 g sat , 2 g mono ); 8 mg cholesterol; 17 g carbohydrates; 5 g added sugars; 2 g protein; 3 g fiber; 241 mg sodium; 381 mg potassium.
  
cb