Looking to add a burst of freshness to your meals? Try this Cranberry-Apple-Orange Salad. It’s a delightful mix of sweet and tangy flavors, perfect for a light lunch or a side dish.
Ingredients
- 1 (12 oz.) bag raw cranberries (2 c.)
- 1 c. sugar
- 1 medium apple, peeled, cored and cut into wedges
- 1 orange, peeled, seeded and broken in wedges
- 1 (3 oz.) pkg. orange gelatin
- 1/2 c. nuts (optional)
Salad Preparation
- In food processor or blender, grind cranberries, apple and orange.
- Mix with sugar and set aside.
- Prepare gelatin according to package directions, using 1/4 cup less of cold water.
- Chill until it begins to thicken.
- Add cranberry mixture and nuts.
- Mix well.
- Pour into a mold, if desired, or leave in a bowl and stir before serving.
- Chill until set.
- Can even be made a day ahead. Keeps well in refrigerator for a few days.
Calorie: 200
Total cooking time:30 minutes
Difficulty level: Easy
The Great Cranberry-Apple-Orange Salad Saga
Once upon a time, in a kitchen not too far away, I decided to take on the herculean task of making a Cranberry-Apple-Orange Salad. Armed with my trusty blender and a bag of raw cranberries (12 oz., to be exact), I embarked on my culinary journey.
The Cranberry Caper
Grinding cranberries is no small feat, my friends. These tiny, tart morsels are elusive, and they love to play hide and seek in the blender. But I am no quitter. With hard work, a little elbow grease, and some creative blender maneuvering, I managed to grind those little red devils into submission.
The Apple Affair and the Orange Odyssey
Next on my chopping block were a medium apple and an orange, both dutifully peeled, cored, or seeded, and sliced into wedges. I felt like a master fruit ninja, slicing and dicing with expert precision. The apple was a willing participant, but the orange, well, let’s just say it put up a bit of a fight.
Sweetening the Deal
Then came the sugar. Oh, the sugar! One cup of the sweet stuff mixed with my hard-won cranberries, apple, and orange wedges. It felt like I was creating a secret, sweet-tart potion meant to enchant the taste buds. I set it aside and mentally prepared for the next step.
The Gelatin Jamboree
Making orange gelatin according to package directions seemed simple enough. But anyone who tells you that making gelatin is a walk in the park is a dirty liar. It’s a delicate dance between chilling, stirring and waiting. Less a quarter cup of cold water, the orange gelatin began to thicken, and I felt a glimmer of hope.
The Nutty Interlude
Now, I’m not one to shy away from optional ingredients. They’re like the wildcard entries – unpredictable but potentially game-changing. So, I threw caution to the wind and added 1/2 cup of nuts into the mix.
The Final Showdown
I mixed my cranberry concoction into the gelatin, poured it into a mold (because who doesn’t want their food in fun shapes?), and tossed it into the fridge to chill. It was a waiting game. I could almost hear the cranberries, apple, and orange whispering, “We’re not ready yet, give us a few hours.”
The Reveal
After what felt like an eternity, my Cranberry-Apple-Orange Salad was finally set. I must admit, it was a sight to behold. Even better? It can be made a day ahead and keeps well in the fridge for a few days. Talk about a recipe that keeps on giving!
The Moral of the Story
In the end, I learned a valuable lesson. Cooking is not just about following a recipe. It’s about the journey, the triumphs (however small), and yes, even the humorous mishaps along the way. And the result? A delightfully refreshing Cranberry-Apple-Orange Salad that was worth every single cranberry-chasing, gelatin-wrestling moment.
