Cranberries have that unforgettable tart flavor that can wake up the sleepiest taste buds.
They are a beautiful color and packed with great nutrition, too. With holidays on the horizon, here are 6 new ideas for adding cranberries to your mix of healthy and totally-enjoyable foods:
- In Muffins: Add 1 cup of chopped up, raw cranberries to a recipe for 12 standard-sized muffins. Or, add 1/2 cup of chopped up, raw cranberries along with 1/2 cup of blueberries for 12 standard-sized muffins.
- In Whole Grain Pilaf: Add 1/2 cup of dried cranberries to a brown rice pilaf just before adding the liquid and simmering to tender.
- In Homemade Trail Mix: Add 1 cup dried cranberries to a mixture of 2 cups whole wheat chex + 2 cups pretzel nuggets + 1 cup almonds or peanuts
- In Oatmeal: Add chopped up, raw cranberries or dried cranberries to your steamy bowl of oatmeal. Or, add the chopped up, raw cranberries, a small handful of walnuts or pecans, and a drizzle of honey.
- In Champagne: Mix together cranberry juice 100% and champagne or Prosecco, add a spritz of fresh lime juice and garnish with a few frozen, raw cranberries.
- In Apple Crisp: Add about 1 cup of fresh cranberries to a healthy apple crisp recipe for a nice tart bite.
Most of us eat with our eyes, so adding bright red cranberries is an appealing way to eat more nutritiously. Cranberries contain proanthocyanidins or PACs, which are powerful antioxidants that may help prevent a range of diseases in the body. An abundance of vitamins C, A, and K are also found in this red berry, as is fiber.
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What creative cranberry ideas will you share?