Thursday, November 26, 2009

Happy Thanksgiving: Merry Cranberry Margaritas

I hope that everyone is having a memorable Thanksgiving, filled with food, family, and fun. We celebrated at my parents' house with the usual suspects and repeated our menu from last year. We had a delicious meal that was complemented by laughter from the words and actions of my two-year-old nephew and eleven-month-old niece. Our Thanksgiving is a potluck of sorts, with everyone contributing several dishes.

Floating Cranberry and Votive Candle Centerpiece


Cheese Tray


Salami Tray


Citrus Garnishes

Mashed Potatoes


Buttered and Peppered Corn


Turkey Breast with Sage


Cremini Mushroom Gravy


Green Bean Casserole


French Onion Casserole


Pureed Butternut Squash


Sweet Potato and Pecan Casserole


Cranberry Sauce


Apple Sauce


Vegetarian Stuffing


Pecan Pie (my sister's very first - and very successful - attempt!)


Chocolate Bread Pudding


Pumpkin Pie


Apple Pie


Pumpkin and Cream Cheese Roll


Chocolates




In addition to our planned menu, my mother had prepared (unbeknownst to us) a fun cocktail. She decided to try the cranberry margaritas that she had seen in her most recent edition of Sunset Magazine. They were tasty, and when served in the punch glasses she had chilled, they were the ideal size. The color and presentation are perfectly festive for the holidays.

Merry Cranberry Margaritas
(From Sunset Magazine, December 2009)
Ingredients
  • 1 1/4 cups cranberry juice cocktail, divided
  • 1/2 cup sugar, divided
  • 1 1/2 cups (6 oz.) fresh or frozen cranberries, rinsed
  • 3/4 cup fresh lime juice
  • 3/4 cup tequila
  • 1/2 cup orange-flavored liqueur, such as Cointreau
  • 3 cups coarsely crushed ice
Directions
Pour 1/4 cup cranberry juice into a shallow bowl. Pour 3 tbsp. sugar onto a plate. Dip rims of 4 to 6 widemouthed glasses (6 to 8 oz., suitable for margaritas) into juice, then sugar. Set glasses aside.

Reserve 12 cranberries. In a blender, whirl the remaining cranberries, cranberry juice, and sugar, the lime juice, tequila, orange liqueur, and ice until smooth and slushy. If necessary, blend in 2 batches, then mix together. Divide among glasses and garnish with reserved berries, skewered on toothpicks.


1 comment:

  1. Wow ... what an amazing spread ... I would expect nothing less from the Bondy ladies :) Sounds like you had a great time

    ReplyDelete