Cranberry Salsa
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It’s the most wonderful {and busiest} time of the year! We have entered the holiday vortex of class parties, school performances, and crazy shoppers…just to name a few. As I have gotten older {and wiser} I finally decided that I have had enough of the insanity. This is the season of joy and cheer, friends and family, laughter, fun and Cranberry Salsa!!
This is the season for getting together with family and friends to share stories, fabulous foods, and drinks.
How to throw an easy Holiday Party:
Why not set aside an afternoon and invite everyone over for a fun-filled holiday party, I will even help you plan the menu!
This is a stress-free cocktail party that starts with a super easy to prepare Cranberry Salsa, Sausage Rolls, and Classic Deviled Eggs…with more suggestions at the bottom of this post.
- Pick the date for your party, that’s the hardest part
- Invite your friends and family – facebook, evite, email, handmade invitations with perfect calligraphy {LOL}
- Choose the appetizers that you would like to prepare – as the RSVP’s start to come in you can determine the amount that you will need
- Purchase your wines or spirits if you will be serving any.
- Plan out your table setting on a piece of paper. What goes where? Which platters will I need? Find them now, don’t wait until the day of the party!
- Finalize your menu and decide which appetizers can be made in advance
- Two days before the party, set your your table with the empty platters, bowls, and serving spoons. Do you have enough space? Does it flow well?
- Decorate the room with holiday decorations.
- The day before the party, prepare the Cranberry Salsa and any other make-ahead recipes, and chill your wine
- Set out the plates, napkins, silverware, and wine glasses
- On the day of the party, take a deep breath, prepare the Sausage Rolls and remaining appetizers
- Get dressed, pour yourself a glass of wine and greet your guests
Hint- if your tree still isn’t decorated, make it a tree-trimming party. 😉
How to make Cranberry Salsa:
So let’s start with the Cranberry Salsa that I keep talking about. Place cranberries and sugar into the bowl of a food processor. Pulse until coarsely chopped…..
In a medium bowl, stir together cranberry mixture, green onions, jalapeno, cilantro, and lime juice…..
Cover and refrigerate for several hours or overnight, the flavors get better with time. 😉
When ready to serve, place softened cream cheese on a serving plate. Using a slotted spoon, drain salsa and pour over the top of the cream cheese…..
Serve with assorted crackers and tortilla chips.
I have to tell you, I LOVE this Cranberry Salsa!! It’s sweet, but tangy, the cream cheese adds creaminess and has a slight kick to it from the jalapenos.
More delicious appetizer recipes:
- Buffalo Style Deviled Eggs
- Cilantro Lime Shrimp
- Marinated Olives & Mushrooms
- Sweet & Spicy Almonds
- Teriyaki Bacon Wrapped Shrimp
- Cranberry Pecan Goat Cheese Log
- Spinach Dip
- Pico de Gallo
- Homemade Guacamole with Tortilla Chips
- Spinach Artichoke Dip {hot}
- Irish Nachos
- Pepperoni Pizza Muffins
Try to create a balance of hot/cold, sweet/spicy, meat/no meat. I try to only have two slightly more involved recipes, the rest should be simple or make-ahead…for my sanity…and yours!
Enjoy!!
Cranberry Salsa
Ingredients
- 12 ounce package frozen cranberries
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 6 green onions chopped
- ½ cup fresh cilantro leaves chopped
- 1 jalapeno pepper seeded and finely chopped
- 1 Tablespoon fresh lime juice
- 8 ounce package cream cheese regular or dairy-free
- assorted crackers
Instructions
- Place cranberries and sugar into the bowl of a food processor.
- Pulse until coarsely chopped.
- In a medium bowl, stir together cranberry mixture, green onions, jalapeno, cilantro, and lime juice.
- Cover and refrigerate for several hours or overnight.
- When ready to serve, place softened cream cheese on a serving plate. Using a slotted spoon, drain salsa and pour over the top of the cream cheese.
- Serve with assorted crackers.
I love this salsa Lisa! I’d come to any party you hosted! Cheers!
YUM! I have a similar salsa recipe, but I never thought to put it over cream cheese!!!! I just chose this as my favorite link from our Link Party Palooza, which means you’ll be featured on all 5 of our sites this Friday! Thanks for linking up!!!!
Awe, thank you so much Stephanie!!
This sounds amazing!! What a great party treat. Pinned 🙂
Thank you so much Malia. 🙂
Mmm…this sounds delicious! I’ve never had cranberry salsa before! I’m going ot have to try this sometime. 🙂
Thank you so much Melissa, I’m sure you will love it. 🙂
What a great cranberry recipe! Love this idea!
This looks delicious, Lisa! What a great idea…perfect holiday party appetizer!
Oh my goodness – everything looks absolutely divine!
A delicious cranberry salsa recipe and a Happy Holiday, Cheers to you for a wonderful New Year! Thanks for sharing with Foodie Friends Friday party this week. Pinning/sharing. We look forward to seeing you again soon.
Oh wow, this cranberry salsa looks so delicious! I’d love if you shared it our link party, Create • Share • Inspire, tonight through Sunday. I hope to see you there!
Alicia
Oooooh!! This looks so fabulous! Cranberry salsa is on my menu for a new year party!! Thank you!
Catherine
This sounds delicious! And also what a beautiful looking party! Will definitely be pinning this. (found you via Best of the Weekend Party link up)