Cranberries, one of only three native American fruits, are the perfect addition to holiday food and decorations. With recipes that will enhance any holiday buffet, we've certainly gone beyond the string-'em-up roping we've all been hung up on.CRANBERRY MEATBALLS
1 pound lean ground beef
1/4 cup tomato ketchup
1/2 cup dried breadcrumbs
1 tsp. salt
1 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 egg, slightly beaten
1 can cranberry sauce
1 tbsp. lemon juice
1/3 cup brown sugar
Combine first six ingredients and mix well. Roll into meatballs and place on a cookie sheet. Bake for 15-20 minutes at 350 degrees. Combine three remaining ingredients and heat. Place the meatballs in a crock pot or chafing dish.
Pour the sauce over the meatballs and simmer for about 30 minutes.
CRANBERRY-PECAN STUFFING
6 cups whole-wheat bread cubes
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
2 cups fresh cranberries
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup diced celery
1 cup (2 sticks) butter
1/2 cup orange juice
1/2 tsp. Allspice
1 cup chopped pecans
2 large eggs, slightly beaten
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Spread the bread cubes in an even layer on a baking sheet and toast in 300-degree oven until well browned, about 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and set aside. While the bread is toasting, put the sugar and water in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Boil about 5 minutes, until it becomes syrupy. Add the cranberries to the saucepan and let them simmer until the first few berries begin to pop, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat immediately and let the berries set in the syrup for 5 minutes. With a slotted spoon, remove the cranberries to a large mixing bowl, draining off the syrup. Saute the onion and celery in the butter until crisp-tender, about 7-10 minutes. Add to the mixing bowl. Add the toasted bread cubes and the remaining ingredients to the mixing bowl and toss lightly to combine. Taste and correct the seasoning with salt and pepper.
CRANBERRY PINEAPPLE SMOOTHIE BASE
1 cup light corn syrup
1 can whole-berry cranberry sauce
1 8-ounce can crushed pineapple, undrained
In blender combine all ingredients; process until smooth. Store covered in refrigerator for up to one week.
CRANBERRY-PINEAPPLE SMOOTHIE BEVERAGE
A healthful snack
2 cups cranberry-pineapple smoothie base
1 large banana
4 cups ice cubes
Prepare cranberry-pineapple smoothie base. In blender, combine two cups smoothie base and banana; process until smooth. With blender running, add ice cubes, several at a time. Process until thick and smooth.
These and many more fun ideas can be found in Dian Thomas's Fun at Home. For more information about Dian Thomas's books, call 1-800-846-6355, or your local bookstore, or check out her Web site at www.dianthomas.com