Lisa Grentz, MS, RDN, CD
Cranberries are a tart and tangy fruit native to North America. They grow in freshwater bogs in the northern United States and southern Canada. These small, hard, round, red, nutrient-dense berries are bursting with health benefits. Most notably, consumption of cranberries helps with urinary tract health and gut health. Cranberries are an acidic fruit that prevents bacterial growth, thereby lessening the risk of urinary tract infections, ulcers, and gum disease. The amount of cranberry product you would need to consume to achieve these health benefits is 10 oz of cranberry cocktail juice, 1 ½ cups of fresh or frozen cranberries, 1 oz of dried cranberries, or ½ cup of cranberry sauce daily.
One fun cranberry creation to make is cranberry ice. This recipe can be used as a side dish to accompany a savory meal like beef stew or can be served as a dessert.
Cranberry Ice
3 – 12 oz bags fresh cranberries or 16 oz bags of frozen cranberries
1 ½ cups apple juice
1 ½ cups pure maple syrup
3 TBSP lemon juice
1 cup heavy whipping cream
¼ cup mayonnaise
2 TBSP pure maple syrup
Instructions
Combine the cranberries, apple juice, and maple syrup in a heavy saucepan. Bring mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to medium-low and cook, stirring occasionally, until the cranberries have popped, about 10-12 minutes.
Remove the pot from heat and allow the mixture to cool for a few minutes. Pour the cranberry mixture through a mesh strainer into a bowl. Mash cranberries in the strainer with the back of a spoon until the berry skins are separated, and all of the sauce is in the bowl. Scrape the outside of the strainer to get all of the sauce into the bowl. Discard the cranberry skins.
Stir lemon juice into cranberry sauce then pour the mixture into 8” X 8” baking dish and freeze.
Once frozen, make the whipped topping by beating the heavy cream, mayonnaise, and maple syrup until stiff peaks form. Spread topping evenly over frozen cranberry mixture and return dish to the freezer.
Remove dish from the freezer 5 minutes prior to serving. Cut into 9 or 12 even pieces and serve frozen. Cover and store leftovers in the freezer for up to 5 days.
Do you want to test out some new recipes with your growing eater before committing to our cookbook?
Download our free recipe sample pack for instant access to 3 recipes from the guide you need for making homemade blended foods for your child. Best for children weaning from a feeding tube and moving to oral eating.
Get your free sample pack delivered to your email below.