Raw Cranberry Sauce

(recipe from Whole Foods Market)

1 orange, peeled
1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
1 medium apple, quartered
5 pitted dates (or to taste)
1/3 cup pecans or walnuts
Zest of 1 orange

Place all ingredients in a food processor and pulse till chunky.

(So easy and delicious!  And healthy!)

Raw Cranberry Sauce

(recipe from Whole Foods Market)

1 cup pitted dates
1 (16 oz.) bag fresh cranberries, about 4 cups
1/2 cup orange juice

Place dates in a small bowl and cover with boiling water.  Let sit 15 minutes to soften.  Drain dates and place in a food processor.  Add cranberries and orange juice, and process until evenly chopped.  Chill until ready to serve.  Keeps refrigerated up to 3 days.

(Voila! Super simple, three ingredients, no cooking.  Never eat sugary processed cranberry sauce again.  This is seriously that good.  Fresh cranberry revelation.)

Poinsettias

(recipe from Nigella Lawson)

1 bottle champagne or sparkling wine, chilled
1/2 cup Cointreau, Grand Marnier, or other orange liquer, chilled
2 cups cranberry juice, chilled

Mix all together in a large pitcher and serve!

(These are lovely and easy.  My cocktail for Christmas 2011.  Served with cheese and crackers and appies for Joann, Alison and Josie the Thursday before Christmas.  Served Christmas day with Ben, Laura, and Justin.  Served the day before New Year's with mom, dad, and Sage.  A hit! - Nigella will never lead you astray.)