Cute cranberry ideas for holiday drinks
When it comes to cranberry recipes, most folks think of cranberry sauce or cranberry walnut pie when they spot a bag of fresh cranberries. Or breakfast granola springs to mind when dried ones are in the pantry. But a whole world of other creative uses for cranberries exists beyond these common go-tos. For example, cranberries can (and should!) pop up on your home bar since these gorgeous orbs are delightful when spied in a cocktail glass and they stain drinks with a lovely ruby shade that’s the epitome of holiday cheer. You could consider muddling a few cranberries at the bottom of your mixing glass when making a Manhattan (add liquor and strain as usual). Or float a few cranberries on top of a glass of Prosecco or in a kir royale. And cranberry juice is ideal in a Christmas punch, along with an ice mold in the center of the bowl that contains frozen cranberries and orange slices.
Cranberry recipes that use dried berries
Dried cranberries may be an afterthought when you’re deciding on which cranberry recipes to try this year. But remember, these rosy nuggets can do anything a raisin can—and maybe even better. Mix dried berries into your morning oatmeal or yogurt, or top a salad with cranberries, especially one made with baby spinach, sliced red pepper, walnut pieces and feta. Dried cranberries also add oomph to basic white rice (mix a handful in toward the end of the cooking time so they plump up a bit, along with toasted pine nuts and lemon zest). And don’t forget to use dried cranberries in every kind of sweet this holiday season, from pies, muffins and quick bread to Christmas cookies made with white chocolate and macadamia nuts.
Thanksgiving and Christmas menu inspiration
Creating a holiday menu can be tricky since you don’t want to repeat what you served last year and you need to consider certain food preferences and allergies. And then if you have a lot of kids coming to your house, you’ll want to make dishes that appeal to young palates too. To help you get ready, start with your table setting. If you arrange your tablescape a day or two in advance, you’ll feel more prepared. Next, your holiday bird, which is a very common centerpiece at Christmas as well as Thanksgiving. Side dishes are a big deal on both of these holidays as you need at least four or five if you’ve invited a sizable crowd. Lastly, the best part—dessert. These Christmas desserts and Thanksgiving sweets will please everyone at your table. Not much of a cook? Check out these 55 restaurants that’ll be open on Thanksgiving day. Get the recipe: Cranberry, Pecan and Goat Cheese Sweet Potato Bites Get the recipe: Cranberry Pork Loin Get the recipe: Cranberry and Brie Holiday Pull-Apart Bread Get the recipe: Zesty Orange Cranberry Relish Get the recipe: Cranberry Crush Cocktail Get the recipe: Spicy-Sweet Cranberry Meatballs Get the recipe: Turkey-Cranberry Sandwiches Get the recipe: Mini Cranberry Cheesecake Parfaits Get the recipe: Ginger-Apricot Cranberry Sauce Get the recipe: Homemade Cranberry-Walnut Sauce Get the recipe: Spicy Cranberry Chicken Get the recipe: BBQ Turkey and Stuffing Waffles with Crispy Onions and Cranberry-Jalapeño Mayo Get the recipe: Cranberry Turkey Chili Get the recipe: Sam Sifton’s Classic Cranberry Sauce Recipe Get the recipe: Cranberry Sauced Margarita Get the recipe: Gingered Cranberry Sauce Get the recipe: Cranberry Blue Cheese Thumbprints Get the recipe: Shiitake and Rosemary Crusted Beef Tenderloin Get the recipe: Merlot Cranberry Sauce Get the recipe: Balsamic Cranberry-Fig Compote Get the recipe: Cranberry Turkey Bites Get the recipe: Caramelized Apple Cranberry Chutney Get the recipe: Sugared Cranberries Get the recipe: Grilled Turkey, Cranberry & Brie Get the recipe: Jellied Cranberry Relish Get the recipe: Cranberry French 75 Get the recipe: Cranberry-Brie Puff Pastry Bites Get the recipe: Apple Cranberry & Walnut Smoothie Get the recipe: Whole Orange Ginger Cranberries Get the recipe: Leftover Open-Face Turkey-Cranberry Sandwich Get the recipe: Cranberry-Orange Pie Get the recipe: Cranberry-Orange Relish Get the recipe: Cranberry Cookies Get the recipe: Spiked Cranberry Lemonade Get the recipe: Cranberry-Pecan Bread Pudding with Cranberry Whipped Cream Get the recipe: Cranberry Champagne Cocktail Get the recipe: Cranberry Ketchup Get the recipe: Cranberry Crumble Get the recipe: Apple-Cranberry-Pecan Fruit Salad Get the recipe: Cranberry Squares Get the recipe: Pumpkin- Cranberry Cornbread Muffins Get the recipe: Cranberry Walnut Chocolate Chip Cookies Get the recipe: Sugared Cranberry Martini Get the recipe: Cranberry Lime Salsa
