TASTE
Cranberries, oranges are culinary couple of season
| • | Wally's world |
By Steve Petusevsky
McClatchy-Tribune News Service
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We've played the food dating game a number of times before. You know, ingredients that should always be paired. We've talked about spinach and feta and peaches and cream. But this time of the year, there is no better couple than oranges and cranberries. They both appear in many holiday recipes but rarely together. And that's too bad.
There is something special about this culinary couple. The bright orange and ruby-red colors complement each other and the sweet and tart taste cannot be matched.
There is also the ease of preparation when combining these ingredients because when I speak about cranberries and oranges, I'm also referring to the entire family. Fresh cranberries and dried (also brand-named Craisins), fresh oranges and orange juice concentrate, orange peel and fresh orange juice as well.
This bright couple also offers the added bonus of containing plenty of vitamins and antioxidants.
The following salad is wonderful and refreshing as is or served atop a green salad. You can substitute 3/4 cup drained mandarin orange sections for the navel orange rounds, if you prefer.
CARROT, ORANGE AND CRANBERRY SUNSHINE SALAD
Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. This can be done a day prior to serving. Makes 8 to 10 servings.
I made this dish at work and ate the whole thing myself. You can bake the potatoes early in the day and allow them to cool before peeling and mashing. Reheat the mashed mixture over medium heat. If using a food processor, puree all the ingredients except the cranberries. Then fold the berries in. I sometimes add chopped pecans to this recipe for added texture. The bourbon is optional, but it gives the potatoes a smoky, rich flavor.
MASHED ORANGE BOURBON YAMS WITH DRIED CRANBERRIES
Prick potatoes with a fork. Place potatoes in a 375-degree oven 50 minutes until tender. Peel the potatoes and place them in a large bowl or food processor fitted with the metal blade. Add the brown sugar, orange juice, condensed milk, butter, cinnamon, vanilla and bourbon, if using. Mix and mash in the bowl or process until smooth. If using a food processor, remove them from food processor to a bowl.
Fold in cranberries. Place in a casserole or baking dish and place in a 350-degree oven 15 to 20 minutes until warmed through and serve or reduce heat to 200 degrees keep warm until ready to serve. Makes 8 to 10 servings.
