Cranberries aren’t just for sauce and juice. Rich in vitamins, minerals, fibre and phytonutrients, the tangy, versatile berries add flavour and colour to all sorts of sweet and savoury dishes. These delectable recipe and photo are from Foodland Ontario, foodlandontario.ca, will entice you to stir up some new, healthful dishes as we close out 2023 and move on to 2024. Enjoy.
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This colourful and easy appetizer can be partially made ahead for last-minute assembly.
Preparation Time:Â 20 minutes
Cooking Time:Â 6 minutes
Serves 6
2 medium Ontario onions, diced
1 tbsp (15 mL) butter
1 ripe but firm Ontario pear, peeled, cored and diced
1/2 cup (125 mL) Ontario cranberries (fresh or thawed)
1 tbsp (15 mL) each packed brown sugar and balsamic vinegar
1/4 tsp (1 mL) salt
Pinch pepper
1/2 cup (125 mL) light cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup (125 mL) crumbled Ontario chèvre (goat cheese)
18 crostini (toasted baguette slices)
Fresh Ontario thyme leaves
In medium microwaveable bowl, microwave onions and butter, covered, for 2 minutes on high or until softened. Add pear, cranberries, sugar, vinegar, salt and pepper. Microwave 4 minutes on high until cranberries have popped and softened, stirring part way through cooking. Stir to further soften cranberries. (If making ahead, let cool, cover and refrigerate for up to 2 days.)
Combine cream cheese and chèvre; spread over crostini. Top with cranberry mixture. Sprinkle each with a few thyme leaves.
Nutritional Information:
1 appetizer
PROTEIN: 3 grams
FAT: 9 grams
CARBOHYDRATE: 9 grams
CALORIES: 77
FIBRE: 1 gram
