cranberries

This cranberry smoothie recipe was shared by FitSugar reader JuicyNoelle in our Healthy Recipe community group.

The little cranberry, such an under appreciated fruit. For years cranberry juice has been thought to reduce or eliminate urinary tract infections, but more recent studies have also linked this tiny tart goodie with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits along with benefits in fighting heart disease and cancer. Reacquaint yourself with cranberries in this yummy holiday cranberry smoothie.

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If the holiday season's left you stretched too thin, don't rule out making edible gifts; simply look for a recipe that'll take less energy and labor. Drop-and-bake cookies are one answer for the time-strapped. What could be more cheery and Christmassy than double-chocolate cranberry cookies? The large, chewy, baked goods take little time to make, and I've found the dough chills well for future baking, too. Slip them in a tissue-lined tin, and you've got your holiday gifting covered! Want the recipe? Keep reading.

It drives me nuts that fresh cranberries are only available in large bags. I often find myself up to the challenge of using any remaining fresh berries in a different application. I love them as a cocktail garnish, but Katie prefers to infuse them directly into vodka, and Lauren makes a tart mostarda. I've also heard that astringent berries do well when sugared or covered in chocolate. What do you do with fresh cranberries?

If you've never made your own flavored vodka, I highly recommend you do it this holiday season. The method is simple: you combine vodka with fruit, herbs, or seasonings and let it infuse for about a week. Then you strain the mixture, and the liquid you are left with is homemade flavored vodka. My favorite kind to make is cranberry vodka. The cranberries turn the vodka the most brilliant shade of pink, and the taste of the vodka is far superior to any store-bought version. Since it's 100 percent natural, it has none of the cough syrup flavor that is sometimes associated with berry vodkas. Use the cranberry vodka in a martini recipe or put it in a fun bottle and give as an edible gift. Want the easy recipe?

Want to make sure your cranberry sauce is perfect? Here's what you need to remember: the jelly needs to be cooked down with enough sugar and have sufficient time to set and chill.

Boil the cranberries for at least 10 minutes — this will allow the berries to release the fruit's pectin. For maximum firmness, include the full amount of sugar in a recipe; it helps the sauce set. (You can use less sugar, but it won't be as firm.) Let the sauce cool at room temperature before chilling it.

As a very last resort, if your cranberries still aren't jelling, try adding a teaspoon of pectin and boiling for five minutes. Cranberry sauce keeps well in the refrigerator, so if you make it the day before, it'll have time to come together well before your guests arrive.

Worried that your turkey's too dry? Gravy's too lumpy? Bread doesn't rise? Then write us in the YumSugar Community to get that problem solved!

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While it's often overlooked on the human table for Thanksgiving, this fruit is actually a safe snack for pets year-round! A few cranberries can be added to a pooch's normal meal for variation or even dried cranberries, too (provided there's no sugar added) if you're cooking up a homemade sauce this Thursday.

Cranberries help with urinary tract infections, even for dogs, and they're also sold in powdered form as the juice itself rarely appeals to pets. The berries are full of antioxidants, so if you don't have the real deal come turkey day, a bag of Zuke's Z-Ridge Cranberry Fresh Breath Dental Chew Bones ($9) will keep him properly distracted during dinnertime instead.

Cranberries are a staple for this time of year, but I always like to try something different from the traditional cranberry sauce. My suggestion? Skip serving them in a bowl and use them in a stellar mostarda-topped crostini appetizer. Mostarda is a traditional Italian condiment that combines sweet cooked fruit with a savory mustard sauce; it's often served with meat, which would make it perfect for topping pork or turkey. I was ready to try something new, so I baked up some crostini and topped them with a triple-creme goat brie, finishing with a spoonful of flavorful mostarda. Trust me: you won't miss cranberry sauce once you start popping these tasty apps. Keep reading for the recipe.

Cranberry sauce: it deserves the title of most overlooked Thanksgiving side. After all, turkey, stuffing, potatoes, and gravy are some seriously stiff competition. To make this year your most memorable turkey day ever, be sure to single out your side of cranberry.

Eschew your canned crimson collection, and you've got several directions in which to take the tart condiment: Add extra dimension with lively citrus and fresh ginger, or transform cranberry sauce into a savory condiment with the help of garlic, marjoram, bay leaves, and tomatoes. Up the jewel tone with sweet sugar beets, or mold your very own cranberry jelly. For some inspiration, check out an exhaustive collection of cranberry recipes at KitchenDaily.

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Pumpkin pie may be the traditional finish on Thanksgiving, but it's not my favorite dessert. Doesn't a food-centric holiday deserve something more spectacular than humble old-fashioned pumpkin pie?! Since it's the last thing your guests are going to eat, why not take the time to make a dish that's truly memorable?

This cranberry chocolate cheesecake is sure to stun and impress. It's absolutely amazing. The crust consists of crushed chocolate wafer cookies that are laced with cinnamon, the filling is a classic and incredibly creamy vanilla cheesecake, and the topping is a fruity, tart, and sweet cranberry syrup. If you're a cheesecake lover, this dessert is a must make. Get the make-in-advance recipe after the jump.

I recently spilled the beans about my ambivalence over turkey; it's my least favorite part of the holiday meal. But I'm not alone: more than a quarter of you admitted to being undecided about the big bird. To all of you naysayers out there, I suggest you make another roast instead. Don't even worry about it being something pricey, like crown roast of lamb or beef fillet — simply make pork tenderloin. With its cranberry sauce and sweet potato side, this foolproof recipe, which comes courtesy of Ming Tsai's latest book, tastes just like Thanksgiving, no turkey required. Want the recipe? Keep reading.