Cranberry Tangerine Christmas Cooler Food

CRANBERRY COOLER

Steps:

• In a pitcher, combine the juices, sugar and extract. Stir until sugar is dissolved. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Just before serving, stir in ginger ale.

CRANBERRY-TANGERINE RELISH

Steps:

• Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion, garlic, and ginger and cook until soft. Add tangerine juice and brown sugar and bring to a boil. Add half of the cranberries and cook until they pop. Add remaining cranberries and cook for 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and add tangerines and zest. Transfer to a serving bowl and serve at room temperature.

CRANBERRY CAKE WITH TANGERINE FROSTING

Steps:

• Line the bottoms of 2 greased 8-in. square or 9-in. round baking pans with parchment; grease paper. In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar until crumbly, about 2 minutes. Beat in vanilla., In another bowl, mix 4 cups flour, baking powder and salt; add to butter mixture alternately with milk, beating well after each addition. In a large bowl, toss cranberries with remaining flour; fold into batter., Transfer to prepared pans. Bake at 400° for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks; remove parchment. Cool completely., For frosting, in a large bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Gradually beat in the confectioners' sugar, tangerine juice and zest. Spread between cake layers and over top and sides of cake. Refrigerate, covered, until serving., If desired, top with sugared cranberries, candied tangerines and sprinkles.

CRANBERRY TANGERINE JAM

Steps:

• In large pot combine cranberries, water and juice. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, simmer covered until cranberries pop. Remove from heat and cool for 1 hour. Then transfer cranberry mixture to a blender or food processor. Cover and blend or process until smooth. Return to pot.
• Add sugar and cinnamon, stir. Bring to a boil stirring constantly. Reduce heat and simmer for about 25 minutes or until mixture is thickened, stirring frequently. Remove from heat. Discard cinnamon stick.
• Ladle into hot sterilized 4 oz jars, leaving 1/4" headspace. Wipe rims and add lids.
• Process jars for your recommended altitude.
• I like chunkier jam, so I will instead blend half the cranberries, water and juice first before cooking, then put blended berry mixer and whole berries into pot and go to step 2. Or just process all the fruit until smooth, then go onto step 2. This cuts out the 1 hour of cooling time.
• If you are using frozen berries, just defrost them in cool water. Frozen cranberries last up to one year. The older they are the more wrinkled the berries become. Any mush berries should be discarded.

CRANBERRY-TANGERINE CHRISTMAS COOLER

Steps:

• Combine cranberry juice and tangerine juice in large pitcher. Add lime juice and stir to blend. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)
• Cut thin slice off tops and bottoms of tangerines. Cut each horizontally into three 1/4- to 1/3-inch-thick rounds. Divide cooler among 6 tall glasses. Garnish with tangerine rounds and serve.

CRANBERRY-TANGERINE SAUCE WITH APPLES & ALMONDS

Steps:

• Combine tangerines and water in a saucepan.
• Cook rapidly until peel is tender, about 20 minute.
• Add cranberries, apples, sugar.
• Bring to a boil over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until sugar is dissolved.
• Increase heat and boil gently for about 20 minutes.
• As mixture thickens, stir frequently to prevent sticking.
• Add almonds during last 5 minutes of cooking.
• Cool and refrigerate or freeze.