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Delicious Ways to Use Cranberry & its Juice
There’s just something about cranberries that screams, ‘The holidays are here!’ It could very well be the ruby-red tint of the fruit, the tart flavours of the berries or the addictive sweetness that (to date) has inspired countless dishes and drinks. The fruit has the power to instantly add a splash of vibrancy to your festive dinner table. While we often see cranberry in traditional sauces, there are a string of other ways that you can employ cranberry juice to add a spark of creativity to your culinary innovation this season. If you are curious to venture beyond the basics and ready to experience cranberry fruit uses to their full potential then read on as we delve into some scrumptious ways to make the most of this ingredient.
Six Ways to Use Cranberry and its Juice this Season
Get ready to unleash your inner chef with these recipes that will fascinate your family and your guests alike:
1. Cranberry and Green Chilli Chutney
What’s the best way to start a recipe blog than with a tangy and spicy chutney to awaken your senses? This is just the concoction you need to pair with Indian snacks, such as samosa, pakora or even grilled veggies. Make this by tempering cumin seeds, onions, and green chillies in a pan with hot oil. Once the onion softens, add grated ginger with red chilli powder and cook this mix for another minute or two. Lastly, add in chopped cranberries, jaggery with a pinch of salt and some water. Allow this chutney to come to a boil and reduce significantly while simmering for at least 15 to 20 minutes. Once it thickens, set the cranberry chutney aside and serve with your favourite snacks.
2. Cranberry and Paneer Skewers
The delicate flavours of cranberry are quite well known to complement savoury dishes (hint: thanksgiving spread). Make the most of cranberry uses with these delicious paneer skewers. Start by preparing a marinade with half a cup of cranberry juice, two tablespoons of yoghurt, a teaspoon of chilli powder, garam masala powder and salt. Mix these well and coat your paneer cubes in it before setting them aside to rest for at least 30 minutes or so. Once you’re ready to cook, simply stack these marinated paneer cubes on a skewer and grill them until slightly charred. You may serve this as a starter or a snack with a hint of lime juice drizzled on top.
3. Cranberry Shikanji
Nothing can get you to beat the thirst more than a chilled glass of Shikanji, the classic Indian lemonade. This recipe is a twist on the classic that will have you asking for seconds every time. To make this at home, you simply need to combine half a cup of cranberry juice with some lime juice and 2 cups of water. Add a tablespoon or two of honey as per your preference and stir this mix until the sweetener is dissolved. Next, add in a pinch of roasted cumin powder, chaat masala, and black salt to taste. You may place this in the fridge to chill and garnish it with fresh mint leaves while serving.
4. Cranberry and Coconut Barfi
With the holidays around the corner, we cannot leave out a dessert recipe. This dessert recipe is the best to showcase the use of cranberry fruit and it juice as well. Here’s how to make it: take a dry pan, set it on low heat and add about one cup of desiccated coconut into it. Once you notice a change in the colour of the coconut, you may add half a cup of chopped dried cranberries into the mix and continue to roast it for another minute or two. Carefully, take this off the heat and stir in a concoction of condensed milk, cranberry juice, and cardamom powder. Transfer this mixture to a greased tray and set it to cool in a fridge for an hour. Once it is set, take it out of the refrigerator and cut it into square-shaped pieces carefully before garnishing it with chopped pistachios. And voila, your barfi is ready!
5. Cranberry Raita
All you need to complete your savoury dishes is a side like this zesty and flavourful raita. Make this by whisking a cup of plain yoghurt with one-fourth cup of cranberry juice until it runs smooth. Next, add half a cup of finely chopped cucumbers, some pomegranate seeds, and a pinch of chaat masala into it. Fold these ingredients well and serve fresh with your spicy meals.
6. Citrus Holiday Mocktail
As we bring this blog to a close, one way that cranberry juice can be used for the holidays is in a refreshing mocktail. Make this citrus delight by pouring some cranberry juice with orange juice into a glass over a handful of ice cubes. Top this mix with a splash of soda water before serving this non-alcoholic drink as a refresher after a busy day.
Cranberry juice and fruit have several uses, as illustrated in this blog. The fruit has the potential to be a star in your drinks and savoury as well as sweet dishes. With a batch of cranberry at hand, you can make the most of its uses with these recipes. It can be just the pop of colour or sophisticated flavour you need to turn your ordinary dishes into a gourmet experience!
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FAQs
1. What are some creative, non-traditional ways to utilize cranberries in meals or beverages?
Beyond using cranberry for sauces and as a stand-alone juice, cranberry can be efficiently incorporated into a range of meals and beverages. Its subtle tart notes pair well with dishes like salsas, cakes, tarts or even zesty dressings to pour over simple veggie salads. In terms of beverages, the complex flavour profile of the fruit pairs well with mojito mocktails, smoothies, ciders, teas and more.
2. Can cranberry juice be used in savoury dishes?
Yes, while traditionally cranberry uses have been restricted to sweet dishes and sauces, you may also effectively include cranberry juice in a manifold of savoury dishes. The combination of sweet and tart flavour profiles of the beverage adds depth to the dishes. For example, you may use the juice for enhancing marinades, glazes, or even add it to your herbs and spices before roasting your veggies for an umami flavour.
