WARM MEMORIES 'TOASTING' THE SOLSTICE ~ CRANBERRY MARGARITAS / SASSY CRANBERRY SALSA / CRANBERRY-GLAZED BRIE

"Winter must be cold

for those with no warm memories."

(From the movie An Affair to Remember)

CRANBERRY MARGARITAS

(Rachael Ray - 30 Minute Meals)

1 1/4 cup cranberry juice

1/2 cup sugar

1 1/2 cup fresh cranberries

3/4 cup fresh squeezed lime juice

3/4 cup tequila

1/2 cup Grand Marnier

ice

Mix all ingredients, except ice. Pour half in blender and fill the rest of blender with ice. Blend. Repeat with second batch. (2 medium pitchers)

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SASSY CRANBERRY SALSA

1 unpeeled orange, quartered and seeded

2 cups cranberries

2/3 cup sugar

pinch salt

1/2 chopped green pepper

2 seeded and finely chopped jalapeno peppers

3 Tbsp. chopped fresh cilantro

1/2 cup toasted chopped pecans

Coarsely chop orange quarters in food processor. Add cranberries, sugar, and salt; pulse 2-3 times until cranberries are coarsely chopped. Transfer to bowl and add green pepper, jalapeno peppers, cilantro and pecans. Chill and serve with Terra Vegetable Chips orfavorite corn chips. (3 cups)

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CRANBERRY~GLAZED BRIE

(for 1 ~ 8-inch 2.2 pound Brie cheese wheel)

Cranberry marmalade:

3 cups fresh cranberries

3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar

1/2 cup dried cranberries or currants

1/3 cup orange juice

1/4 tsp. dry mustard

1/4 tsp. ground ginger

1/8 tsp ground allspice

1/8 tsp. ground cardamom

1/8 tsp ground cloves

Combine all ingredients in heavy saucepan. Cook over medium-high heat until most of the berries pop,stirring frequently, about 5 minutes. (Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.)

For cheese:

Using sharp knife, cut circle in top rind of cheese, leaving 1/2 inch border. Carefully remove center circle of rind. Spread with cranberry marmalade. Serve at room temperature on pear and apple slices or crisp crackers.