10 Ways to Use Cranberries at the Dinner Table

If you love the flavor of cranberries, but do not like cranberry slices or sauce which are traditional staples on the Thanksgiving dinner table, try these alternative recipes that will allow you to enjoy this delicious berry in a new and fun way!

1). Cranberry Orange and Nut Muffins are delicious and this is the perfect time of year to serve them. Put a grouping of them on the appetizer table for Thanksgiving or Christmas celebrations, or serve them on the breakfast or brunch table, and watch them disappear.

2). A cranberry nut salad can be the perfect holiday accompaniment to a holiday meal. It just looks and tastes festive, and it's good for you!

3). Cranberry bruschetta. So many people love a good bruschetta. Using cranberries in one for a holiday recipe provides an extra treat for you and your guests.

4). Chutney. Make a holiday chutney with cranberries and apples and you are sure to please. Since chutney is not a condiment commonly served throughout the year, having it on the holidays makes it extra special.

5). Ambrosia. Put together a light cranberry ambrosia salad for the table. These are sweet and tart at the same time, deliciously light on the tummy, and a great way to get the wee ones in the house to eat their fruit servings for the day.

6). Cranberry Squash is a perfect match for holiday turkey if you are looking for traditional dishes to serve. It is unique and delicious, and not at all hard to make, and no one can deny the authenticity it brings to a traditional table during the Thanksgiving or Christmas holidays.

7). Cranberry Crisp. Make a cranberry crisp for one of the desserts and you are sure to delight. You can add apples, pears, or just about any other fruit to complement the cranberry flavor.

8). Cranberry Pastas. You can add cranberries to your pasta dishes to make them more flavor-enticing and attractive. They go well in light pasta dishes that are full of vegetables, such as linguini or fettuccini dishes.

9). Non-alcoholic drinks. You can make a variety of non-alcoholic beverages that are festive, such as Cranberry Punch, Cranberry Orange Refreshers, Cranberry Lime and Ginger Spritzers, Cranberry Apple Cider, etc. They are refreshing and festive, and you can add real fruit treats to add to the mood.

10). Alcoholic Beverages. You can serve anything from the classic Vodka and Cranberry, to the richer cordials, to hot ciders to add to the holiday spirit in your home.

Cranberries are just one of those foods that depict the Fall and holiday seasons. Use them to your advantage to help create a meal or drink your family and guests will remember all year round.