Tag Archives: cranberries

Cranberry Madness In Massachusetts

Did you know 27% of the world’s cranberries come from Massachusetts? It’s not exactly the best-known statistic around, but it’s a fact residents of the state are proud of nonetheless. The cranberry industry is Massachusetts’ number one agricultural crop, according to the Cape Cod Cranberry Growers Association. What’s more, leaders of the growers association maintain that Massachusetts is where the cranberry industry was born. Which means if you plan to visit the area during harvest season you are in for a real treat. In the early autumn months the New England state best known for its ties to American history … Continue reading →

Festive Holiday Salads

Growing up you get used to seeing the same dishes served on special occasions. In our family every December 25th my grandma would set out her famous Christmas Salad. It wasn’t topped with holly or filled with candy; rather she relied on fresh cranberries to kick up what eventually became known as Grandma’s Christmas Salad. Interestingly, I know a few other people who have their own versions of Christmas salads and none of those include Christmas-themed ingredients either. Not even so much as a pine nut. But, that’s the beauty of holiday cooking: free interpretation. If you are looking to … Continue reading →

Making Affordable Holiday Crafts from Fruit and Candy

Don’t break the bank trying to deck your halls this holiday season. Rather, look around your home for inexpensive materials that can be transformed into festive seasonal decor. Two of my favorite frugal materials: fruit and candy. Both are popular this time of year, and you can cut down on costs even more by using fruit and candy that have been given to you as gifts. It’s very simple. Take a look: FLOATING CRANBERRY CANDLE Materials: 1 large clear glass punch bowl 3 12-oz. bags of fresh cranberries (amount will vary depending on size of bowl) 4 floating candles 6 … Continue reading →

How to Make Simple Christmas Topiaries

The economy is in the dumpster and you’re pinching pennies, but you still want to create a festive atmosphere in your home this holiday season. So how do you make that happen? Get creative with affordable materials that can be transformed into expensive-looking decorations. In the days following Thanksgiving my supermarket drastically reduced the price of fresh cranberries. I took advantage of the discount and stocked up on the festive fruit. However, instead of including all of them in holiday recipes I decided to use some for Christmas crafts. My first project is this Cranberry Christmas Topiary. The directions are … Continue reading →

Making Edible Garland for Your Christmas Tree

Is your Christmas tree up yet? Judging by the dozens of vehicles I passed this weekend with hearty pines strapped to their luggage racks, I’d guess that most families have their Tannenbaums in place for the countdown to Christmas. Our tree is up and trimmed, though according to our resident decorating expert (see: my 4-year-old daughter), it’s missing one very important item: a popcorn and cranberry garland. Ever since she saw the Little Bear episode where the entire gang created edible tree decorations, she has been begging to add snacks to our tree as well. So, tonight is the night … Continue reading →

Tis the Season to be Cooking with Cranberries

You may be sick of looking at cranberries right now, but don’t let your Thanksgiving hangover influence your taste for the tart fruit. I just got back from the grocery store where fresh cranberries are on sale $3 for 2 pounds. What a steal. I picked up two 1-pound bags and dug through my recipe book for ways to put them to good use. Here are the fresh cranberry goodies I plan to make this week: CRANBERRY CITRUS MUFFINS Ingredients: 1 cup sugar 1/4 cup butter or margarine 2 eggs 2 cups flour 2 teaspoons baking powder 1/4 teaspoon salt … Continue reading →

More Kid-Friendly Thanksgiving Recipes

If you are hosting a house full of people on Thanksgiving the last thing you want to deal with is a gaggle of whiny children complaining about having to eat dishes they don’t like. The solution: Prepare a couple of kid-friendly recipes that you know your little ones will give thanks for having. The first recipe is a classic kid-friendly dish-—Macaroni and Cheese. The other recipe features marshmallows, Cool Whip and fresh cranberries in a sweet, fluffy dish that is proven crowd pleaser. I guarantee your young guests won’t be the only ones gobbling it up on Turkey Day. CLASSIC … Continue reading →

Thanksgiving Recipes: Cranberry Desserts

If your Thanksgiving Day feast is side dish heavy and you decide to pass on the traditional cranberry sauce, but you still want to get a healthy dose of Vitamin C, then consider the following recipes. Both feature fresh cranberries in mouthwatering desserts. The tartness of the plump cranberries perfectly complements the sweetness of these Thanksgiving-themed treats. If you decide to forgo these cranberry desserts on Turkey Day, save the recipes and make them on Christmas instead. The bright crimson berries bring a festive touch to any holiday buffet table. CHILLED CRANBERRY DESSSERT Ingredients: 3 cups fresh cranberries 1 1/2 … Continue reading →

Thanksgiving Recipes: Kicked Up Cranberry Dishes

What do you get when you combine fresh cranberries with persimmons, pecans and oranges? Not your grandma’s old-fashioned cranberry sauce. If you are looking for jazzed up versions of this Thanksgiving classic, you’ve come to the right place. You can’t have a Turkey Day feast without cranberries, so why not try something new this year? The following recipes pay homage to fresh cranberries in ways that will win over your pickiest holiday eaters. FRESH CRANBERRY AND PERSIMMON SAUCE Ingredients: 1 cup chopped onion (1 medium) 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 tablespoon olive oil or cooking oil 1 12-oz. bag fresh … Continue reading →

Thanksgiving Recipes: Spectacular Sides

You can’t have Thanksgiving turkey without side dishes, right? For some families sides are almost as important as the bird itself. My sister-in-law doesn’t “do” turkey, but instead of complaining about the traditional entree she simply fills up on all of the incredible side dishes that various family members contribute to our holiday feast. Whether it’s your grandmother’s famous green bean casserole or your Aunt Mary’s famous cornbread stuffing, side dishes are an integral part of a Thanksgiving meal. As we countdown to the big day of thanks I will be featuring some of my favorite holiday recipes. I wish … Continue reading →