Share this:
Courtesy of the Cranberry Media Bureau
Mother’s Day is almost here again, the time of the year when we can return some pampering to those who continuously care for us. This year try something new and spoil your nearest and dearest with some delicious cranberry treats!
From a refreshing cranberry cooler to dark chocolate tarts with cranberries, creating one of these cranberry inspired recipes is perfect to show your Mum how much you care. Cranberries are not only versatile and easy to incorporate into your diet, but they are also jam packed with antioxidants, which is important for good health and glowing skin – something Mum will appreciate!
Ginger and Cranberry Cooler
Glass: Collins
3 standard shots of cranberry juice
3 standard shots of ginger ale
2 standard shots of orange juice Ice
Method:
Shake cranberry juice and orange juice with ice and strain into ice-filled glass. Top with ginger ale.
Tuna and Cheese Pita Pockets
¾ cup (40g) chopped iceberg lettuce
¼ cup (30g) grated low-fat tasty cheese
¼ cup (30g) grated carrot
¼ cup (30g) dried cranberries
95g can tuna in spring water, drained, and flaked
1½ tablespoons low-fat mayonnaise
1 wholemeal pita bread
Combine the lettuce, cheese, carrot, dried cranberries, tuna and mayonnaise in a medium bowl.
Cut the pita bread in half, carefully open the pocket and spoon the mixture in. Makes 1.
Cranberry and Pistachio Biscotti
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon cardamom, ground
3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
1/4 cup butter, softened
2 eggs
1 teaspoon lemon peel, grated
1 cup dried Cranberries
1 cup pistachios, shelled
2 tablespoons white chocolate chips
Preheat oven to 160°C. Mix flour, baking powder and cardamom; set aside.
Beat sugar and butter on high in medium bowl until light and fluffy. Add eggs and lemon peel and beat until blended. Stir in flour mixture until blended. Stir in cranberries and pistachios until blended. Shape, with floured hands, into 12x5cm log, rounding the top. Place on greased baking sheet.
Bake at 160°C for 40 to 45 minutes until golden and slightly cracked on top. Cool 10 minutes. Slice width wise into 1/2-inch slices using serrated bread knife. Place cut side down on baking sheet. Bake 10 minutes. Cool on wire rack.
Microwave chocolate on high in small microwave safe bowl, stirring every 30 seconds, until just melted. Dip biscotti base in chocolate and place on backing paper to set. Makes 15 biscotti.
Chocolate Tarts with Cranberries
2-3 tablespoons dried cranberries
2 tablespoons cognac or Armagnac
100 g dessert or bitter chocolate
100 g butter
50 g flour
½ teaspoon cinnamon
100g sugar and a bit of sugar for dishes
3 eggs
Chop the dried cranberries and soak in cognac for several hours. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees, then line 4 ramekin dishes with butter and sprinkle with sugar.
Melt chocolate in a double boiler, then add butter and mix until the butter is completely melted. Add flour, cinnamon, sugar, eggs, and marinated cranberries. Lower heat and continue to stir until the sugar is melted. Pour the chocolate mixture into the dishes and cook in preheated oven for 10 minutes.
Take out the tarts from the oven, gently go around the sides of each ramekin with the point of a knife and then flip tart onto a dessert plate. Sprinkle sugar and serve. Serves 4.
Health Benefits of Cranberries
Cranberries contain bacteria-blocking compounds that are believed to be helpful in preventing urinary tract infections, and recent research suggests this same function may be useful in blocking the bacteria responsible for stomach ulcers and certain oral bacteria that can lead to gum disease.
AAP