Cranberry Salsa Cream Cheese Dip

Holiday Trails Part 3. This holiday season, I bring you Cranberry Salsa Cream Cheese Dip. Otherwise known as the perfect 'in season' salsa of Autumn. Lately, I have been a little in love with these delectable little morsels of deliciousness. Living in Wisconsin, there has been an abundance of local cranberries available. During the fall, Wisconsin is the home of many cranberry festivals, including the Warren's Cranberry Festival, proclaimed to be the largest cranberry festival in the world...now that's a pretty big deal.

Needless to say, cranberries in Wisconsin are right on par with cheese in Wisconsin, and are a source of pride for the state. Hence the need to try many, many recipes with fresh cranberries this time of year. On another note, did you know about all the amazing health benefits that cranberries provide?

Step 1: Gather the ingredients.

Step 2: Put cranberries in food processor and chop.

Step 3: Combine all ingredients and store in refrigerator for at least 4 hours.

Step 4: Soften cream cheese and spread on an appetizer platter.

Recipe from Jamie Cooks it Up

Step 5: Top cream cheese with cranberry salsa and serve immediately.

CRANBERRY SALSA CREAM CHEESE DIP | Yield: 15 servings | Prep: 15 min. | Total Time: 15 min. prep + 4 hr refrigeration

INGREDIENTS:

1 12 oz package fresh cranberries
1/4 C green onion, chopped
1/4 C cilantro, chopped
1 jalapeno
3/4 C sugar
1/4 tsp cumin
2 Tbsp lemon juice
dash salt
2 8 oz packages cream cheese
crackers

DIRECTIONS:

Place cranberries in a food processor - chop approx. 5-10 seconds. If you do not have a food processor, you can cut into small dice by hand.

Chop green onion, cilantro, and jalapeno into small pieces. Remove jalapeno seeds before chopping.

Combine all ingredients in a medium-sized bowl. Mix together, cover and store in the fridge for 2-3 hours to allow the sugar time to soak into the cranberries and break up the bitter taste.

Soften cream cheese at room temperature for 20 min prior to serving. Spread evenly on an appetizer platter, and top with cranberry salsa.

NOTE: if your cranberry salsa is watery, use a strainer to eliminate the extra juices prior to topping the cream cheese.

Serve immediately with your cracker of choice, or leave out the cream cheese and scoop the salsa onto your chips or crackers. The salsa would also be delicious on a turkey sandwich or with fish.

What are your favorite holiday hors d'oeuvres?