🥗 Aunt Brennie’s Holiday Cranberry Salad 🦃
Aunt Brennie’s Holiday Cranberry Salad is a classic side dish, often served during Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners. This delightful salad combines the vibrant colors and flavors of cranberries, pineapple, and other ingredients to create a perfect balance of sweet and tart. Here’s everything you need to know about this dish:
📜 History:
The exact origin of Aunt Brennie’s Holiday Cranberry Salad is unclear, but it has been a beloved holiday tradition for many families for generations. It’s often associated with the United States, where cranberries are a significant part of Thanksgiving and Christmas feasts. This salad reflects the heritage of American holiday cooking and is cherished for its combination of fresh and canned ingredients.
🥘 Components:
The salad typically includes the following components:
- 2 cups fresh cranberries
- 1 can (20 oz) crushed pineapple, drained
- 1 cup miniature marshmallows
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup heavy cream, whipped
- 1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
- A pinch of salt
👩🍳 Preparation Steps:
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Prep the Cranberries: Wash and chop the fresh cranberries. You can use a food processor to make this process quicker.
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Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the chopped cranberries, drained crushed pineapple, miniature marshmallows, and granulated sugar. Mix them well. The sugar helps sweeten the tart cranberries.
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Whip the Cream: In a separate bowl, whip the heavy cream until it forms stiff peaks. This is what adds a creamy texture to the salad.
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Fold in Whipped Cream: Gently fold the whipped cream into the cranberry mixture. This step gives the salad its creamy and fluffy texture.
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Add Nuts (Optional): If you like some crunch and nuttiness, you can add chopped pecans or walnuts to the mixture. It’s optional, and you can skip this step if you prefer a nut-free salad.
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Chill: Cover the salad and refrigerate it for a few hours or overnight. Chilling allows the flavors to meld together and the salad to set properly.
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Serve: When you’re ready to serve, garnish with a few cranberries, a dollop of whipped cream, or a sprinkle of nuts for an extra festive touch.
⏰ Preparation Time:
The total preparation time for Aunt Brennie’s Holiday Cranberry Salad may vary, but it typically takes about 15-20 minutes to prepare the ingredients and another few hours to chill in the refrigerator. So, plan for at least 3-4 hours before serving to allow time for chilling.
Enjoy this delightful and colorful cranberry salad as a side dish during your holiday gatherings. It’s not only delicious but also adds a burst of vibrant red to your festive table! 🍽️🥂🎄
Certainly, here are the nutrition facts and some health information for Aunt Brennie’s Holiday Cranberry Salad:
📊 Nutrition Facts (Approximate Values per 1 cup serving):
- Calories: 260
- Total Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
- Sodium: 20mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 41g
- Dietary Fiber: 2g
- Sugars: 35g
- Protein: 1g
🥗 Health Information:
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Cranberries: Cranberries are well-known for their high antioxidant content. They are rich in vitamin C and dietary fiber, and they have been associated with potential health benefits, such as urinary tract health and reducing the risk of certain infections.
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Pineapple: Pineapple is a good source of vitamin C, manganese, and bromelain, an enzyme that may help with digestion. It also adds a tropical and refreshing flavor to the salad.
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Marshmallows and Sugar: These ingredients are primarily sources of added sugars, which should be consumed in moderation. Excessive sugar intake can contribute to various health issues, including obesity and tooth decay.
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Heavy Cream: Heavy cream is a high-fat ingredient that adds a creamy texture to the salad. While it can make the salad delicious, it’s also calorie-dense. Consuming high amounts of saturated fats can have health implications, so it’s best enjoyed in moderation.
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Nuts (Optional): Nuts, if added, can provide healthy fats and protein to the salad. They also contain essential vitamins and minerals. However, if you have nut allergies, you should omit this ingredient.
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Portion Control: It’s essential to practice portion control when enjoying this salad, especially if you’re concerned about calorie and sugar intake. Keep your serving size in check to maintain a balanced diet.
Remember, Aunt Brennie’s Holiday Cranberry Salad is a delightful holiday treat, and enjoying it in moderation as part of a balanced diet is key to maintaining good health during the festive season. 🥗🎉
