Cranberry green beans

Green beans with cranberries and mango juice. Yes, that's right, green beans with cranberries are wonderful for a Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner, and yes, I realize you're looking at this ingredients list and thinking I'm crazy, but you'll just have to trust me on this one.

The cranberries sort of melt and almost form a sweet caramelized sauce with the mango juice. Of course, if you don't trust me, you could omit the mango juice and just use a bit of water to deglaze the pan. Plan on having some extra cranberries to toss on for garnish, if you'd like. This recipe is vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound fresh green beans, trimmed
• water for boiling
• 2 tbsp oil or margarine
• 1/3 cup dried cranberries
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 cup mango juice

Preparation:

Bring a pot of water to a simmer, and immerse green beans. Allow to cook for 5 minutes, or until almost done. Do not overcook. Drain.

Melt margarine over medium low heat in a large skillet, and add green beans. Allow to cook for a minute or two, then add cranberries and mango juice, gently tossing to combine well. Season with salt, and simmer for 3-4 more minutes, stirring occasionally, until most of the liquid has been absorbed.

Enjoy this unusual green bean side dish with at your Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner.

Like cranberries? Check out more healthy holiday cranberry recipes.

View the original article here

Cranberry Date Breakfast Bars

Store-bought cereal bars often have unhealthy additives, so better to make your own healthy homemade cereal bars. These whole wheat and oatmeal breakfast bars are flavored with cranberries and dates. If you like packaged cereal bars, try making these homemade breakfast bars with oatmeal. They're similar to granola bars. Recipe courtesy of The Wheat Foods Council.

Ingredients:

• 6 ounces dried cranberries
• 8 ounces chopped dates
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 1 cup all purpose flour
• 2 cups old-fashioned oats
• 1 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1/2 cup margarine
• 1 cup powdered sugar (optional)
• 1 - 2 tbsp orange juice (optional)
• 1/4 tsp vanilla (optional)

Preparation:

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.

In a saucepan over low heat, simmer cranberries, dates and water, stirring constantly. Simmer until all water is absorbed; remove from heat. Stir in 1 teaspoon of vanilla; set aside.

In a medium bowl, combine whole wheat flour, all-purpose flour, oats, brown sugar, baking soda and salt. Stir in butter or margarine until well blended.

Spread half of the flour mixture into ungreased 9 x 13-inch pan; bake in oven for 8 minutes.

Remove from oven and spoon cranberry/date mixture over crust; sprinkle with remaining flour mixture, pat gently.

Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until lightly browned; cool.

Optional: Combine powdered sugar, vanilla and orange juice to make a frosting. Drizzle over cereal bars.

Servings: Provides 3 dozen bars

Calories/Serving: 155 calories/bar

Nutrition: Nutrition analysis: One bar provides approximately: 155 calories, 2 g protein, 26 g carbohydrates, 2 g fiber, 6 g fat (2 g saturated), 7 mg cholesterol, 10 mcg folate, 1 mg iron and 108 mg sodium.

Like cranberries? Check out more healthy holiday cranberry recipes.

View the original article here

Sweet Cranberry Stuffing

Depending on where you're from you may call it stuffing or dressing, but whatever it is, no a Thanksgiving meal isn't complete without it! If you're vegetarian or vegan, this sweet cranberry stuffing recipe is a great way to add a bit of color and Thanksgiving flavor to your stuffing. I love making stuffing because the aroma in the kitchen is simply heavenly, and this recipe is no exception! See also: More vegetarian stuffing recipes

Ingredients:

• 14 slices bread, lightly toasted or pre-dried, chopped into cubes or crumbles
• 1 1/2 cups dried cranberries
• 2 1/2 cups apple juice
• 1 red onion, diced
• 2 stalks celery, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp vegan margarine
• 1 tsp thyme
• 1/2 tsp sage
• 1 tbsp dried parsley (or 2 tbsp fresh, chopped)
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp ginger
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon

Preparation:

Pre-heat over to 350 degrees.

In a small bowl, pour apple juice over cranberries and set aside.

In a large skillet, sautee the onion, celery and garlic in the vegan margarine until soft, 3-5 minutes. Add thyme, sage and parsley and sautee for one more minute.

In a large bowl, combine bread, onions and celery, and cranberries and apple juice, stirring to combine well.

Bake for 20-25 minutes. Add additional spices, if desired, and enjoy!

Like cranberries? Check out more healthy holiday cranberry recipes.

View the original article here