Creamy Crannutties Salad

This is a creamy, yet also nutty, variation on the standard fresh cranberry relish.  The “secret” to the texture is the addition of a few dates – they can substitute completely for the agave sweetener or merely supplement it. However, if you just don’t like dates, you can eliminate them and use agave instead. No agave? Try maple syrup, honey, or raw sugar. If you cannot eat walnuts, almonds will be completely acceptable. If you must skip the nuts, the texture will be different but still quite good. See the variations below for other ideas.




Combine in food processor. Pulse until mixture is chopped and blended, not creamy, but still distinct in texture.

1 package cranberries (12 ounce bag)

½ cup deglet noor dates, pitted

2 oranges, peeled and sectioned ( do NOT use peel unless it is organic)

1/3 to 1/2 cup agave (OR maple syrup, local honey, or raw sugar)

Add and pulse only until chopped, but not blended smooth:

1 cup walnuts

½ teaspoon vanilla

 Using spatula, spoon this mixture into a serving bowl. You may garnish it with orange slices or whole walnuts. Can be served as an appetizer, entrée or desert.

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This can be eaten within a few hours OR it may be made the night before to allow the flavors to mellow. Leftovers last up to five days in the fridge.

Variations:             

For those of you who are NOT vegan, this is also very good mixed with an 8 ounce container of Greek yogurt, such as Voskos.

And what if you have no oranges? Try subbing 2 apples and juice of one lemon for the 2 oranges.

                        

It also makes a tasty adjunct to your breakfast smoothie. Just freeze small portions in ice cube trays, pop them into a freezer bag, and  blend them in as you would frozen fruit. Of course, frozen plain cranberries can also be added to smoothies...just put on your earplugs because the frozen CB's get LOUD when blended!

(Hint: our favorite protein powder is NOT soy-based. It is instead Sun Warrior Vanilla RICE protein, and some (Hey Hey VJ) say the chocolate rocks even more than the vanilla.  (Whatever, it's all good - OG and raw – an amazing food!)

Need info on this powerhouse berry? Want to know why you should put a few of these red beauties aside in your freezer for year round use? Check out this blog -

http://www.naturalnews.com/cranberry.html

One last note: Are you interested in ecologically and locally grown food? Check out this CSA

Check out this local CSA blog for more tasty recipes!

Hollow Pumpkin CSA Spots for 2011 now available! Come to the meeting for more info: 

When:  Monday, December 6th 2010

Time:  7pm
Where:  Gaia House/Interfaith Center, 913 S. Illinois Ave, Carbondale, IL 62901
If you have questions please call (618) 697-6154