Thanksgiving Appetizers: Cranberry Salsa & Cranberry Brie Bites

Need something for your guests to snack on before the big feast?  Here are a few appetizers that should be able to tide people over before the turkey and stuffing...

Cranberry Salsa

Ingredients

1  12 oz package fresh cranberries

1/4 C green onion, chopped

1/4 C cilantro, chopped

1 small jalapeno pepper

1 1/4 C sugar

1/4 t cumin

2 T lemon juice

dash salt

2  8 oz packages cream cheese

Cooking Supplies Needed

-1/4 Cup

-1/4 Teaspoon

-1 Tablespoon

-Food Processor

-Knife

-Cutting Board

-Mixing Bowl

-Mixing Spoon

-Saran Wrap

-Festive Serving Plate

-

Preparation

1. Blend cranberries in a food processor. You could also, just chop them up.

2. Chop up green onion, cilantro, and jalapeno pepper into small pieces. If you want a more mild taste, forget the jalepeno.

3.  Add all ingredients (but the cream cheese and the crackers) into a bowl. Mix them all together, cover and store in the fridge for at least 4 hours. The sugar needs some time to soak in to the cranberries and break up their bitter taste.  

4. When you are ready to serve, place your cream cheese bricks on a plate, and spread out as evenly as you can.

5. Pour your cranberry mixture onto cream cheese and spread out in even layer over cream cheese.

6. Serve immediately with your cracker of choice.

Sugared Cranberry & Brie Bites

**Makes 16 

Ingredients 

-2 cups fresh cranberries 

-1 cup real maple syrup

-1 cup granulated sugar

-16 crackers of your choice

-8 oz Brie cheese

-cranberry chutney or cranberry relish

-fresh mint for garnish

Cooking Supplies Needed

-Strainer

-Medium Bowl

-Large Bowl/Baking Dish

-1 cup

-Small Saucepan

-Baking Sheet

-Knife

-Serving Tray

Preparation

1. Rinse cranberries, strain, and place in a medium bowl. Heat syrup in a small sauce pan just until warm. Pour over cranberries when syrup is warm, not hot, or cranberries may pop. Cool, cover, and let soak in the refrigerator overnight. 

2. Drain cranberries in a colander. Place sugar in a large bowl or baking dish. Add cranberries in 2 batches and roll around until lightly coated in sugar. Place on a baking sheet until dry, about 1 hour. 

3. Assemble crackers with one slice of brie, a light layer of cranberry chutney, and 4 or 5 sugared cranberries. Garnish with fresh mint sprigs.

I still can't quite believe that Thanksgiving is on Thursday! Here is to a short week! 
Xoxo- Jamee