Cranberry Jalapeno Martini Food

CRANBERRY-JALAPENO MARTINI

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, combine the sugar, 1/2 cup cranberry juice, cranberries and jalapeno. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 3 minutes or until sugar is dissolved. Remove from the heat. Cover and let stand for 20 minutes. , Strain, discarding cranberries and jalapeno. Cover and refrigerate syrup for at least 2 hours or until chilled., For each serving, fill a mixing glass or tumbler three-fourths full with ice. Add 3 ounces vodka, 1 tablespoon cranberry juice and 1 tablespoon cranberry syrup; stir until condensation forms on outside of glass. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Repeat. Garnish with mint and cranberries if desired.

JALAPENO CRANBERRY SAUCE

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, put the sugar, ginger, jalapenos, orange zest and orange juice. Simmer for 2 minutes. Add the cranberries and set over medium heat for 20 minutes, stirring frequently. Add water if the mixture appears too dry. Add in the lemon zest and juice and season with salt or a bit more sugar. Let cool completely and serve.

JALAPENO CRANBERRY JELLY

Steps:

• Place cranberry juice and jalapenos in a blender; cover and process until peppers are fully chopped. Strain through a double thickness of cheesecloth. , Pour the strained juice into a Dutch oven; add vinegar. Stir in sugar. Bring to a full rolling boil, stirring constantly. Stir in pectin; return to a full rolling boil. Boil for 1 minute, stirring constantly. , Remove from the heat; skim off foam. Add food coloring if desired. Carefully ladle hot mixture into hot sterilized half-pint jars, leaving 1/4-in. headspace. Wipe rims and adjust lids. Process for 5 minutes in a boiling-water canner.

CRANBERRY MARTINI

Steps:

• Combine vodka, orange liqueur, vermouth, cranberry juice, and ice in a cocktail shaker. Shake vigorously to chill. Pour into martini glasses, and serve. Garnish with cranberries.

CRANBERRY-JALAPENO RELISH

Steps:

• In a mixing bowl, combine the cranberries, orange juice, onion, cilantro, garlic, jalapeno, lime juice, cumin and salt.
• Stir together and chill 2 hours before serving.

CRANBERRY SAUCE WITH JALAPENO PEPPERS

Steps:

• Rinse cranberries in cold water; drain.
• In a medium size saucepan mix water and sugar and bring to boil on medium-high heat; stir to dissolve.
• Add cranberries and Jalapeno peppers and return to boil.
• Reduce heat, cover and boil gently, for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Add lemon juice and sherry and stir well to blend.
• Remove from heat and let cool completely at room temperature.
• Refrigerate in a glass container with lid.
• Serve with turkey or chicken.
• CAUTION when handling the Jalapeno peppers.
• Wear plastic gloves, or wash hands thoroughly after handling, using any toothpaste.
• Then wash again with soap and water.
• You can also use a mixture of bleach and water to remove all pepper heat.

JALAPENO CRANBERRY RELISH

Steps:

• Remove seed and stems from jalapenos.
• Chop jalapenos and cranberries finely.
• Add sugar.
• Refrigerate for 2 days before using. NOTE: The first time I made this, I only refrigerated it for 1 day and it was really good. However, it was even better after 2 days.