Festive Cranberry Jello Food

CRANBERRY JELLO SALAD

Steps:

• Start by making the relish. In a large food processor, combine 12 ounces fresh cranberries, half an orange (peel on but seeds removed), and half a peeled apple. Pulse until the mixture is in a fine dice. Sprinkle the cranberry mixture with the sugar and allow to sit for 20 minutes, or until sugar is mostly dissolved.
• Divide the cranberry relish in half (about 1 1/2 cups each). NOTE: This makes enough for TWO jello salads. Feel free to halve the relish recipe or refrigerate the second half for another use-it's a great side dish on its own!
• Meanwhile, bring 2 cups of water to a boil. Dissolve 2 small packages of raspberry jello in the water. Add 1 cup cold water.
• Stir in half of the cranberry relish and a 20 ounce can of undrained crushed pineapple. Pour the mixture into a jello mold. Do not overfill. If your jello covers the top of the center piece, spoon a bit out and place it in a separate container. Refrigerate for at least 8 hours or up to 3 days.
• To un-mold, place a large, flat platter on top of the jello mold then carefully flip over. If the jello doesn't release easily, flip it back over, and submerge the bottom of the pan in 2-3 inches of very hot water before trying again. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Decorate with homemade whipped cream, fresh cranberries, and orange zest right before serving.

FESTIVE CRANBERRY JELL-O SALAD

Steps:

• Drain pineapple, reserving juice. Remove 1 Tbsp. pineapple; set aside. Add enough cold water to reserved pineapple juice to measure 3 cups; pour into saucepan. Bring to boil. Add to dry gelatin mixes in medium bowl; stir 2 min. until completely dissolved. Stir in cranberry sauce.
• Refrigerate 1-1/2 hours or until slightly thickened.
• Stir in pears, nuts and remaining pineapple. Refrigerate 4 hours or until firm.
• Top with reserved pineapple just before serving.

FESTIVE CRANBERRY JELLO

Steps:

• Coarsely chop the cranberries and place in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Add 2 cups of water and the sugar and simmer for 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, put chopped celery, mandarin orange segments, and crushed pineapple in a large bowl, reserving liquids in a 2 cup measuring cup.
• Add enough cold water to the fruit juices in the measuring cup to yield 2 cups of liquid.
• Remove saucepan from heat and stir in Jello powder, stirring constantly until it's fully dissolved. Add the cold water/fruit juice mixture. Pour into the bowl with the fruit and celery and stir. Spoon into a 9x13 baking dish and refrigerate until firm (at least 3 hours).

FESTIVE CRANBERRY-PINEAPPLE SALAD

Steps:

• Drain pineapple, reserving liquid in 1-quart liquid measuring cup. Remove 1 tablespoons of the crushed pineapple, set aside for garnish. Add enough cold water to the reserved liquid to measure 3 cups; pour into large saucepan. Bring to boil; remove from heat. Add gelatin; stir at least 2 minute until completely dissolved. Add cranberry sauce; stir (gelatin mixture should be thick. Pour into large bowl.
• Refrigerate 1-1/2 hours or until slightly thickened (consistency of unbeaten egg whites).
• Stir in remaining pineapple, apples and walnuts; stir gently. Pour into medium serving bowl.
• Refrigerate 4 hours or until firm. Top with reserved crushed pineapple just before serving. Store leftover gelatin in refrigerator.
• Cooking time would actually be refrigeration time.

FESTIVE CRANBERRY-PINEAPPLE JELL-O MOLD

Steps:

• Drain pineapple, reserving juice in 1-qt. liquid measuring cup. Reserve 1 Tbsp. pineapple for later use. Add enough cold water to reserved pineapple juice to measure 3 cups; pour into large saucepan. Bring to boil; remove from heat. Add dry gelatin mix; stir 2 min. until completely dissolved. Add cranberry sauce; mix well. Refrigerate 1-1/2 hours or until slightly thickened.
• Stir remaining pineapple, apples and nuts into thickened gelatin. Pour into 6-cup mold sprayed with cooking spray.
• Refrigerate 4 hours or until firm. Unmold onto platter just before serving; top with reserved crushed pineapple.