Crazy for Cranberries

Cranberries have long been considered part of a traditional Thanksgiving meal. For many the "perfect" cranberry sauce is a can-shaped cylinder of red, jiggly sweet stuff that accompanies turkey and dressing so well.

But cranberries are for more than just making sauce. There are dozens of different ways to incorporate cranberries into not only your holiday meals, but any meal at all! Enjoy simple desserts, drinks, salads, breakfasts and condiments with these versatile little berries.

Before you throw in the oven mitts, try LazyGourmets.com

Cranberry Muffins

An easy four ingredient muffin recipe, perfect for any chilly winter morning.

2 cups sliced cranberries
1 box yellow cake mix
3.4 oz. pkg. instant vanilla pudding
1 tsp. cinnamon

Prepare cake mix according to pkg. directions. Add pudding mix and cranberries. Swirl in cinnamon. Fill each muffin tin 3/4 full. Bake according to cake mix directions. Sprinkle warm muffins with sugar. Makes 24 muffins.

Cranberry Fool

You'll act the fool for a second helping of this delicious dessert salad.

16 oz. can jellied cranberry sauce
1 Tbsp. grated orange peel
1 tsp. almond extract
8 oz. whipped cream

Whisk together cranberry sauce, orange peel and extract. Fold in whipped cream. Spoon into dessert dishes. Chill until set. Garnish with whipped cream and orange slice.

Variation: Serve at room temperature as a fruit dip.

No-Cook Cranberry Relish

Finally, a holiday extra that doesn't require cooking!

1/2 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
1/4 seedless orange, peeled
1 Tbsp. sugar

Add ingredients to blender; coarsely chopped. Cover and chill 30 minutes.

Sante Fe Cranberry Salsa

Bring a touch of the South West to your holiday dinner table with this spicy little number.

12 oz. frozen cranberries
3/4 cup sugar
1 medium jalapeno, quartered
1 green onion, quartered
1 tsp. diced cilantro
1 tsp. cumin

Add all ingredients to food processor. Coarsely chop. Store in refrigerator overnight to allow flavors to blend. Makes 3 cups.

Hot Cranberry Punch

Here's a festive alternative to hot apple cider when the weather turns nippy.

4 cups unsweetened pineapple juice
4 cups cranberry juice
1/2 cup Packed brown sugar
1 cup water
1 tsp. whole cloves
1 cinnamon stick

Tie cloves and cinnamon stick in cheesecloth. Combine all ingredients in crockpot. Cover and cook on LOW 4-10 hours.

Cranberry Bread Machine Bread

What better accompaniment to a holiday dinner than festive Cranberry Bread fresh from your bread machine.

3/4 cup warm water
1/2 cup cranberry juice
3 cup bread flour
2 Tbsp. sugar
1 1/2 Tbsp. dry milk
1 1/2 tsp. salt
2 1/2 tsp. yeast
1 1/2 Tbsp. butter

Add ingredients to bread machine in order, or according to manufacture's instructions. Bake on "White Bread" setting. Makes one 2 lb. loaf.

About the Authors:
Kellie and Loretta are owners of LazyGourmets.com. Subscribe to the Lazy Gourmets Special Edition newsletter for great celebration, holiday and other special themes. Click here!