Easy Cranberry Side Dish Recipes
Tangy Relish and Cranberry Dressing Add Color, Flavor to Meals
Sep 19, 2008
Whether fresh, frozen, or partially thawed, bright red cranberries add a festive color, tangy flavor, and crunchy texture to some surprising foods.
The tangy harvest relish makes an elegant statement when placed on a decorative plate and garnished with lettuce. Its fresh, fruity taste and unusual consistency (crunchy pecans, celery, and cranberries inside a soft gelatin mold) make it a side dish to complement a variety of holiday dinners. This dish needs to be prepared well in advance in order to let the chilled gelatin solidify. Get ready with note cards (or share this URL) because guests will want the recipe.
The wonderful cranberry dressing also makes a lively side dish for when company comes over for dinner. The coarsely chopped cranberries not only add color and texture, but a hint of sweetness to the bread dressing. This recipe also can be used as stuffing for pork, turkey, Cornish hen, or chicken.
Recipe for Tangy Cranberry Harvest Relish:
Ingredients:
- 1 (6-ounce) package cherry flavored gelatin (or substitute cranberry, strawberry, or mixed berry)
- 1 cup sugar
- ½ cup lemon juice
- 1 medium unpeeled orange, quartered and seeded
- ¾ cup finely chopped celery
- 1 ¼ cups water
- 1 (16 ounce) package whole cranberries (fresh or frozen)
- 1 medium green apple, seeded and chopped
- 1 cup chopped pecans
Directions:
1. Boil one cup of water in saucepan. Remove from heat.
2. Add gelatin and sugar. Stir until completely dissolved.
3. Add lemon juice and remaining ¼ cup water to mixture. Stir well.
4. Pour mixture into gelatin mold or decorative bowl and place in refrigerator to chill.
5. Take remaining ingredients and chop in food processor, blender, or by hand until orange, celery, cranberries, apple, and pecans are evenly chopped into small, even pieces.
6. Pour these ingredients into partially chilled gelatin mold. Stir gently to blend.
7. Keep refrigerated several hours until fully chilled and completely solid.
8. Garnish with fruit or vegetables along the outside when serving.
Serves 10-12 as a side dish, not a dessert.
Recipe for Cranberry Dressing:
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups whole cranberries (chopped)
- 4 cups toasted bread cubes
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1/3 cup melted butter
- 1 small onion (grated or finely chopped)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 garlic clove, crushed
- ½ teaspoon marjoram
- ½ teaspoon thyme
- ¼ teaspoon dill
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Directions:
1. Combine all ingredients in a large saucepan over medium heat.
2. Stir constantly while cooking mixture for about 12 minutes.
3. Serve when desired consistency is reached.
4. Use with sliced meats or pack lightly into already roasted turkey/chicken cavity, if used for stuffing. After the meal, remove uneaten cranberry dressing from inside cavity and refrigerate in separate container.
Serves 10-12 as a side dish.
For more recipes, read Two Easy Recipes for Pumpkin Seeds, Two Quick and Easy Coffee Cakes, and Mixed Berry Coffee Cake.
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