If you are looking for a delicious appetizer, be sure to take advantage of fresh cranberries when you can! I snagged a bag from Costco and made three different side dishes with them…and they were all pretty darn delicious. I made this cranberry salsa, sugared cranberries that I shared over at Western Gardens and fresh cranberry sauce that I still need to share with you! I’d never cooked with fresh cranberries before, and let me tell you, I waited far too long! They taste so fresh and delicious when so many other fruits and veggies have just gone out of season. Next time you see fresh cranberries available, be sure to grab some! This is a fun recipe because it’s delicious as is, or it’s easy to play around with flavors when you want to change it up a little…I even included a couple of ideas for you. Enjoy!
Cranberry Salsa with Orange-Ginger Cream Cheese
Ingredients:
- 1 (12 oz) bag of Fresh Cranberries
- 4 small green onions, finely sliced
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 bunch fresh cilantro, finely chopped
- 1 Tbsp fresh ginger, zested
- 2 Tbsp lime juice, fresh if possible (or lemon)
- 1 (8 oz) pkg cream cheese
- 1 Tbsp fresh ginger, zested
- 1/2 tsp (or more to taste) orange zest
- 1-2 Tbsp fresh orange juice
- dash of salt
- Crackers for serving
- Finely chopped jalapeno pepper
- 1/2-1 tsp cumin
Directions:
- Wash cranberries and discard any that are bruised, soft or shriveled. Place in a blender or food processor and pulse until the cranberries are finely chopped.
- In a large mixing bowl, add the cranberries, onions, sugar, cilantro, ginger and lime juice. Cover and refrigerate for at least two hours.
- In a medium bowl, thoroughly combine the cream cheese, ginger, orange zest, orange juice and salt. Spread into a wide, shallow serving dish and top with cranberry salsa.
- Refrigerate until ready to serve.
And because I love you, I’ve teamed up with 10 other fabulous bloggers to bring you even more ideas for your New Year’s Eve food festivities!
