Cranberry Salsa

This week's Run Bike Swim Cook Challenge was to use cranberries in an appetizer. After a bit of exploring, we decided to make Cranberry Salsa. Oo la la! This recipe was definitely a keeper. It was kind of a sacrifice to give up our very last bag of frozen cranberries, but the result was worth it.

In honor of Valentine's Day, we shaped our cream cheese into a heart-shape first. The deep reds and greens were gorgeous! Perfect for the holidays.

We also found that the salsa's excellent with tortilla chips as well. The sweet and salty mix gives a nice contrast. (It's also a bit healthier minus the cream cheese.) We used one large jalapeno pepper instead of two small, and found, in the words of my eldest, that "it wasn't spicy at all!" (That's a compliment in her world.) A more adult palette might enjoy kicking up the spice a notch.

The verdict from the kids' panel?

Two thumbs up! The only one not interested in the salsa was Eli. He had a different question on his mind...

Got milk? :)

Cranberry Salsa Dip with Cream Cheese
(Recipe found on whatscookingamerica.net)

1 (12-ounce bag) or 3 cups fresh cranberries, rinsed and drained
1/4 cup minced green onions
2 small (approximately 2 tablespoons) jalapeno chile peppers, cored, seeded and minced
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves, minced
2 tablespoons finely-grated fresh ginger
2 tablespoons fresh-squeezed lemon juice
2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese
Cranberries and/or cilantro sprigs for garnish

Rinse, drain, and pick over cranberries, (discarding all that are soft or bruised). Place them in a food processor; pulse until finely chopped but not mushy.
Place crushed cranberries in a bowl; mix together with green onions, jalapeno peppers, sugar, cilantro leaves, ginger, and lemon juice. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 4 hours so flavors develop (salsa will be too sharp and tart to begin with).

On a serving plate, place cream cheese; cover with the dip. Garnish, if desired, and serve with crackers.

And finally, an update on our exercise from last week:

Miles Run: 12 for me, 20 for Jason
Miles Swum: 1/2
Miles Biked: 7.5 (pathetic on the biking, I know.... :)

Despite my disdain for cycling, it feels great to be moving! Thanks for the motivation, Chou.