More Cranberry Recipes

As I wrote the first article about cranberry recipes I began to think of all the recipes I have created both for food and drinks, and with the holidays approaching I couldn't stop myself to add some more.  Theses recipes with cranberries are a bit out of the box and will test your palette's threshold, which does not mean I am going to be sharing my recipe for sweetbreads and cranberry demi glaze, although very delectable not many like sweetbreads and they can be challenging to find.
Salads are a great source for adding the sweet, tart, and chewy flavor and texture of cranberries.  I like to use dried cranberries when making salads because they are readily available year round.  I suggest to buy the cranberries in bulk if you can find them, they will be much cheaper.  Here is a list of great combinations that are great with dried cranberries, you can mix them up or follow as suggested.

Spinach Salad                                                   
serves 4 as starters

• 2 bunches of fresh spinach
• 4oz toasted walnuts*
• 4oz dried cranberries
• 2oz feta cheese crumbled
• 2oz fresh basil, torn
• 4oz blanched green beans, cut into 1 inch pieces
• 2 each mango, diced
• Dijon Vinaigrette (recipe follows)

*When you toast the walnuts toss them with a little bit of brown sugar, cayenne, and salt  right out of the oven and cool completely.

Dijon Vinaigrette

• 1/3 Cup Dijon mustard
• 2Tbs honey
• 1tps. minced fresh thyme
• 1/2 Cup Champagne vinegar
• 1/2 Cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 1 Cup canola oil, maybe less
• Kosher salt and fresh ground pepper to taste

In a bowl combine mustard through olive oil, while whisking slowly add canola till vinaigrette comes together and season with salt and pepper, if the vinaigrette is too pungent just add a little canola to taste.

Salad Variations

• pine nuts/pecans
• watercress/arugula 
• oranges/strawberries
• chervil/chives
• smoked Gorgonzola/Cambazola/

The possibilities are really endless, when I compose a salad I always choose a fruit, nuts, fresh herbs, this provides a crunch, sweet, and savory salad.


Cranberry Splash Martini 
serves 1

• 2 oz Blue Bombay Sapphire Gin
• 2oz tonic 
• 2oz cranberry juice
• Fresh mint
• Squeeze of lime
• Champagne

In shaker with ice add gin, cranberry juice, tonic, lime, and mint, shake vigorously and pour in  chilled martini glass float with champagne.  If fresh cranberries are available toss some in the freezer and add to martini, or use as ice cubes and pour in a highball glass.

Roasted Cranberries 
Serves 4 as a side

• 1 package fresh cranberries
• 1/2 lb. shallots, thinly sliced
• Fresh thyme sprigs
• Olive oil
• 2 Tbs Balsamic vinegar
• Kosher salt and fresh ground pepper to taste

Toss all ingredients together and place in a baking dish and roast in oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 15 minutes or until cranberries begin to pop.  Taste for seasoning and serve along side meal

I love this side dish because of its versatility.  It goes great pork, chicken, steak, and even salmon and halibut. 


So whether you are planning a holiday dinner or would like to mix things up a bit with the versatility of this sweet and tart fruit I hope you try these favorites and enjoy!!