Crazy for Cranberries

Quick….what do you think of when you hear cranberries?  A funky cranberry jello type sauce at your Holiday meals.  Or something that comes out of a can that slops onto pretty little dish.  Or the red stuff that makes the turkey not taste so dry!   Well, I want to change all that…cranberries have so much more to offer than just an accompaniment to a giant turkey leg!  They are in prime season right now.  They look beautiful and are just begging to be eaten!  First up is a gorgeous cranberry puree for baby, then a cranberry smoothie for the rest of the family.

Cranberry Puree

• 6 ounces Fresh Cranberries (half a package – use the rest for the smoothie recipe below)
• 1 Apple, peeled, cored and chopped
• 1 cup Water
• 1 Banana
• 1/8 teaspoon Cinnamon

In a medium saucepan bring the water to a boil and add the cranberries and apples.

Simmer for approximately 8-10 minutes.  You will hear the cranberries POP and the mixture will become a beautiful red color.

Once the mixture has cooled slightly transfer to a food processor or blender using a slotted spoon.  Add the banana and the cinnamon.  Puree and enjoy!

Cranberries are tart so this will probably be a new experience for your baby.  The banana and cinnamon help cut down the tartness.  If it’s too tart, try adding another banana and/or more spice.  This sweet puree is packed with antioxidants and potassium and makes a great addition to oatmeal or yogurt.

 

Cranberry Smoothie

1/2 cup Cranberries

2 small Bananas

1 Apple, peeled, cored and chopped

2 tablespoons Yogurt

Add all ingredients to a blender and whiz them up until smooth.  If you prefer your smoothie to be very cold you could toss in a couple of ice cubes. And for an extra helping of goodness sprinkle in some wheat germ and/or milled flax seeds.  This recipe will serve 2 to 3 people.

Let’s end with a quick discussion about portion control.  Smoothies are a GREAT way to squeeze an extra serving of fruit into your daily diet.  Have you ever stopped by your local smoothie shop, thinking you are doing your body good, by ordering a smoothie….only to receive a smoothie that is about a foot tall!  Well, folks, yes, you are better off having that foot tall smoothie than you are 6 chocolate truffles BUT there really can be TOO much of a good thing.  These giant smoothies are usually loaded with fruit juice which equals sugar, and I’m not talking about the naturally occurring fructose (sugars from fruit). I’m talking sucrose (yes, table sugar).  And the calories from these mega smoothies are out of control.  So share that mongo-sized smoothie with a friend or two…..and, yeah, go ahead eat one of those chocolate truffles!