Fresh Cranberry Salsa Salad

Still looking for another side dish for your Thanksgiving? I've never really gotten into cranberries on my turkey, so every year I used to look for a new way to use cranberries in a creative way. This way is so yummy and easy! It has become one of my favorite parts of our yearly Thanksgiving repertoire.

Fresh Cranberry Salsa Salad

any kind of salad greens you want
fresh cranberry salsa (see recipe below)
crushed toasted pecans and tortilla chips
honey vinaigrette dressing (see recipe below)

Fresh Cranberry Salsa

chop in a food processor or by hand if you have a lot of energy:
a bag of fresh cranberries
1/4 of an onion (any flavor)
6 sprigs of fresh cilantro or parsley

After everything is chopped mix in 1/2 a cup or more of honey or agave. Or white sugar if you don’t care about that sort of thing.

Honey Vinaigrette Dressing

1 cup apple juice
1/2 cup raw apple cider vinegar
1/2 cup honey

Shake or mix in a blender.

Lentil Casserole

1 lb red lentils

2 cups water

1/2 c Tom sauce

Onions

Garlic

1 c cashew parmesan

veggies:carrots, eggplant, zucchini, etc.

Season with cumin, salt, paprika, smoked paprika, etc.

Bake at 350 (380 in my oven) for 30 minutes, keep in oven for 2 hours.

Great topped with chips, green onions, and sour cream.

Vegetable White Bean Soup

This is delightful!

Sugarfree Jam

I have spent about $1 million on sugarfree jam from the grocery store. But no longer! I've tried it three times now, triple batches. We fly through it, but it is totally worth it! This recipe is straight from the package.

Sugarfree Jam
2 cups cut fruit (jam shown is 1 1/2 cups asian pear, 1/2 cup strawberries)
1/3 cup apple juice concentrate
1 1/2 tablespoon low sugar or sugarfree pectin
Mash fruit, bring to a full rolling boil, boil for one additional minute. Can or enjoy right away, though it takes a day or more to really gel completely.

Notice in the picture the beautiful little jar from the sugarfree jam I used to buy. Store-bought jars can be resealed, just as new jars, but of course there is always the risk that it won't seal. That's no problem here. We aren't afraid to eat the jam right away! And don't you love that the asian pear/strawberry combination is so pink? It smells like a yummy Scentsy too. I have always loved strawberries! I love that Heavenly Father made such perfect food!

Cauliflower Alfredo Sauce and Banana Coconut Cookies

Cauliflower Alfredo Sauce! Super yummy...however, since we love veggies, but aren't totally vegan, we use real butter, and add Parmesan cheese. :) This is actually really yummy cold in a pasta salad with pecans, lots of peas, and some broccoli slaw.

Cauliflower Alfredo Sauce
2 cups cauliflower (I use the inside portion left after the florets are chopped off. Finely chopped)
1 clove garlic, pressed
3 tablespoons butter
1 cup milk of choice (cashew)
1 Tablespoon + Parmesan cheese
Bring to a boil and simmer on low15 minutes. Purée with a hand blender. Great served hot or cold!

And these banana coconut cookies are so easy! Bananas. And coconut. That's all! We also like it with a little cinnamon and maybe some vanilla.

Banana Coconut Cookies
Purée one banana and 3/4 cup of unsweetened shredded coconut (optionally add cinnamon and vanilla). Drop by large spoonful into a pizza stone and smooth into a nice cookie shape. Bake for 25 minutes at 350 degrees.