Sunday, December 20, 2009

WARM MEMORIES 'TOASTING' THE SOLSTICE ~ CRANBERRY MARGARITAS / SASSY CRANBERRY SALSA / CRANBERRY-GLAZED BRIE

"Winter must be cold
for those with no warm memories."

(From the movie An Affair to Remember)






CRANBERRY MARGARITAS
(Rachael Ray - 30 Minute Meals)

1 1/4 cup cranberry juice
1/2 cup sugar
1 1/2 cup fresh cranberries
3/4 cup fresh squeezed lime juice
3/4 cup tequila
1/2 cup Grand Marnier
ice

Mix all ingredients, except ice. Pour half in blender and fill the rest of blender with ice. Blend. Repeat with second batch. (2 medium pitchers)

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SASSY CRANBERRY SALSA


1 unpeeled orange, quartered and seeded
2 cups cranberries
2/3 cup sugar
pinch salt
1/2 chopped green pepper
2 seeded and finely chopped jalapeno peppers
3 Tbsp. chopped fresh cilantro
1/2 cup toasted chopped pecans


Coarsely chop orange quarters in food processor. Add cranberries, sugar, and salt; pulse 2-3 times until cranberries are coarsely chopped. Transfer to bowl and add green pepper, jalapeno peppers, cilantro and pecans. Chill and serve with Terra Vegetable Chips orfavorite corn chips. (3 cups)

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CRANBERRY~GLAZED BRIE

(for 1 ~ 8-inch 2.2 pound Brie cheese wheel)

Cranberry marmalade:

3 cups fresh cranberries
3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup dried cranberries or currants
1/3 cup orange juice
1/4 tsp. dry mustard
1/4 tsp. ground ginger
1/8 tsp ground allspice
1/8 tsp. ground cardamom
1/8 tsp ground cloves


Combine all ingredients in heavy saucepan. Cook over medium-high heat until most of the berries pop,stirring frequently, about 5 minutes. (Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.)


For cheese:

Using sharp knife, cut circle in top rind of cheese, leaving 1/2 inch border. Carefully remove center circle of rind. Spread with cranberry marmalade. Serve at room temperature on pear and apple slices or crisp crackers.

14 comments:

Katarina said...

At last it's time for the solstice - I've so been waiting for it! -Cranberries and cheese sounds delicious!

Wishing you a very merry Christmas, dear Joey!

Victoria said...

Wowee..lovely inspiring seasonal treats! I am a salsa girl..so That sounds fantastic! and the drink too..yum! Great post joey! Solstice Blessings!

Carol said...

Wonderful Christmas collage Joey! Your sassy salsa sounds spectacular too! Happy Solstice! Carol

F Cameron said...

Cranberry margaritas! :-) I could use one of those!

Sorry that I've been gone so long. I've been under the weather and just not writing much nor reading much on the blogs.

Hope you have a wonderful holiday!

Cameron

joey said...

Oh yes, one more day, Katarina! I will toast the day and think of you, dear friend :) Cheers!

I love this salsa, Kiki ... unique and perfect for the holidays. Solstice Blessings!

Let us rejoice, Carol! I think all are delighted to greet the Winter Solstice :)

Meems said...

OOOOO... so much cranberry happiness here. It all sounds so delightful. A very Merry Christmas to you and yours, dear Joey.

CanadianGardenJoy said...

Joey girl ! I should call you the Queen of Cranberries : ) These are wonderful recipes and I just knew there was a reason I loved them so much ? LOL
Merry Christmas and a VERY Happy New Year girl : )
Joy

Rose said...

"An Affair to Remember" has to be one of my favorite movies--great quote! Your collage is so festive, and the cranberry recipes are making my mouth water.

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas, Joey!

Roses and Lilacs said...

I'd love to try that cranberry brie.

Joey, I'm hoping you and your family have an absolutely wonderful Christmas.
Marnie

Monica the Garden Faerie said...

I've been hosting a winter solstice party for years... we drink Gluehwein, eat well, and of course have a bonfire. I usually also do my first winter sowing of the season on the solstice! Happy merry!

joey said...

Thanks, dear Meems! As you can plainly see, I really do crave cranberry happiness. Christmas Blessings!

Oh yes, Jan, I confess to being 'Cranberry Addict'! Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

... and a very Merry Christmas to you, dear Rose. Thank you for the gift of friendship :)

joey said...

Sorry you are not feeling well, Cameron. To celebrate the Solstice, I will raise a my Cranberry Margarita and toast to your health. Merry Christmas!

The Cranberry Brie is a must for the holidays, Marnie, the Spicy Cranberry Marmalade also good on Philadelphia Cream/Neufchatel cheese. (I also crave this Cranberry Salsa, very different). Wishing you a beautiful holiday, dear friend ... you've been a gift!

I'll be celebrating tonight also, Monica ...Happy Solstice and a very Merry Christmas! (Yea, we have snow ... just enough!)

Nutty Gnome said...

Those cranberry margaritas are reminiscent of my redcurrant vodka jellies!!! Gorgeous, gorgeous recipes Joey.
Happy solstice - hope you get a bit more snow :)

joey said...

Yes, very tasty, dear Nutty :) Sure enjoyed your post ... wishing you the merriest of holidays and a wonderful New Year!