Enjoyed both individually and as part of a side or main course dish, cranberries provide a very distinctive flavor many people find irresistible. Not only are they delicious, cranberries are actually good for you as well, believed to combat both heart disease and cranberries. Unfortunately, a lot of picky eaters will try anything to keep what they perceive as “health food” at least a full arm’s length away from their mouth at all times. Here are some old standbys and a new, innovative idea to make cranberries more enticing so that the whole family can enjoy them.

1. Cranberry Sauce With 12 ounces of cranberries, 1 cup of white sugar and 1 cup of orange juice or water, this Thanksgiving classic will satisfy any sweet tooth. The thick relish can either be enjoyed on its own or as a complementary topping or side item. Just dissolve the sugar in the orange juice or water, then stir in the cranberries. Cook about 10 minutes until the cranberries begin to pop. Finally, transfer the hot saucepan’s contents into a bowl so the cranberry sauce can thicken as it cools.
2. Strawberry-Cranberry Jam – Using 2.5 quarts of chopped strawberries, 12 ounces of chopped cranberries, 4 ounces of powdered fruit pectin, 1 teaspoon of margarine and 5 lbs of white sugar, this beautiful jam comes together as the perfect spread for crackers and bread alike. Once its boiled, stirred and jarred, this dark red jam can be easily preserved, providing an everyday snacking alternative to popcorn and potato chips.
3. Cranberry Pancakes For the lazier chef wanting to get his or her family a cranberry fix without having to start from scratch, chopped up cranberries can be stirred directly into store bought pancake batter at the discretion of the cook. Whether you want your pancakes to sparkle with cranberry red or just have a hit here and there, this one step solution adds a tasty touch of cranberry to a breakfast classic.