I have never once taken a bite of cranberry sauce on Thanksgiving. While I love cranberries topped on salads, the thought of eating a mouthful of a jiggly ruby red jelly has never once appealed to me. But then I was reading an article Donna wrote about the benefits of cranberries and I decided to take a closer look.
I also flipped through Dr. Jonny Bowden’s book The 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth and discovered cranberries are on his list weighing in at 44 calories per cup, and they are also high in fiber, and low in sugar. According to the American Chemical Society, cranberries have some of the most potent antioxidants of any common fruits studied. “They also possess anticancer properties, inhibit the growth of common foodborne pathogens, and contain antibacterial properties,” according to Bowden.
I was sold on the research so I bought a bag of fresh cranberries and went to town. I adapted a recipe printed right on the bag of my Ocean Spray Fresh Premium Cranberries and came up with…
A Splendid Bowl of Cranberry Sauce
- 1 cup Splenda for Baking
- 1 cup water
- 4 cups cranberries
- 2 cinnamon sticks
Bring water and Splenda to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add cranberries and return to boil. Reduce heat and boil gently for 10 minutes stirring occasionally. Pour sauce into a bowl, cool, and then refrigerate.
I’m not going to lie, this stuff is fabulous. The combination of sweet and tart are nicely balanced in this simple recipe. And, it only gets better…
The entire time I was making this recipe
, I was thinking about the Oikos Organic Greek Yogurt I had in the fridge. The good people of Stonyfield Farms make this Greek yogurt and suggested I give it a try. While I think it is quite perfect on its own, I couldn’t wait to try plain Oikos Greek yogurt with a spoonful of the cranberry concoction I just created. Let’s just say, I am going to add this combination to my list of things I am grateful for this Thanksgiving.
Oikos Organic Greek Yogurt comes in vanilla, honey, blueberry, strawberry, plain, and if you make A Splendid Bowl of Cranberry Sauce, it also comes in cranberry. ;-)
Want to give Oikos a try? One lucky Fitness & Spice reader is going to WIN 5 containers of Oikos Organic Greek Yogurt. To enter the drawing, tell us one thing you NEVER eat on Thanksgiving in the comments below. The contest will close Monday, November 16th at 11:59 P.M. and the winner will be announced on Tuesday.
Now I really must go see if I can fit a side of pumpkin pie inside that tub of Greek yogurt!
Heather says:
November 16th 2009I NEVER eat Pumpkin pie. It is always there, tried it once when I was younger and did not like it. I’m gonna give it another shot this year though!
Miz says:
November 16th 2009no need to enter me as Ive shelled out the cash and FINALLY RESTOCKED my ‘gurt.
I love my Greeg’Gurt.
Diane Fit to the Finish says:
November 16th 2009I never eat pecan pie. I can cook a really good one (or so they say) but I don’t eat it!
Great recipe Joanna.
The Candid RD says:
November 16th 2009OH pumpkin pie and Greek yogurt sounds like a nice combination!
Ok, something I didn’t eat as a child at Thanksgiving, ironically, was cranberry sauce! But like you, I discovered its goodness and now I eat it everything Thanksgiving. I’m glad you discovered how tasty and healthy it is before Thanksgiving this year :) As for something else I don’t eat…umm…rolls. Does that count? I never ever eat the rolls, I feel like it’s a waste and I’d rather eat an extra piece of pie ;)
Diane says:
November 16th 2009I have never eaten those sweet potatoes with marshmallows on top! Yuuuuuuck. Ask Suzanne about the cranberry concoction that NOBODY has ever eaten, but me!!!
Tami Boehmer says:
November 16th 2009I never eat the chicken and noodles they put out at my in-laws’ big celebration. You have turkey and stuffing (yum); why would want anything else? I also never put gravy on anything. Extra fat and it just covers up the flavors.
Ibu says:
November 16th 2009The first time I tried pumpkin pie..it didn’t go well with my taste buds and and I have since stopped eatin g it…
Yum Yucky says:
November 16th 2009Oooo. This is a sign. I’ve been eyeballing bags of fresh cranberries on my last few trips to the store. I’m gonna do it! I’m gonna buy some! Thanks woman.
debby says:
November 16th 2009Yum! I will be having some cranberry sauce with greek yogurt later today! I have some good sauce from trader joe’s but I will be making my own later. Thanks for the recipe.
Stuffing–never have, never will eat this at Thanksgiving. Yuck…mushy bread.
Evan Thomas says:
November 16th 2009I never touch mashed potatoes. Don’t care for white potatoes.Don’t care for butter. There’s just nothing in there I’d like
Scorpio Woman says:
November 16th 2009I never eat sweet potatoes. I like sweet but as a dessert.
I love cranberries. It’s a great idea to mix a cranberry sauce to plain yogurt. I’ll give it a try. And I’ve never made homemade cranberry sauce, I will also try it. Thanks for posting the recipe :)
Tanya says:
November 16th 2009I’m not much for ‘sauces’ but I’ve indulged in cranberry sauce a time or too. Thx for this recipe (now bookmarked and it’s what I will be using).
Melissa says:
November 16th 2009I can’t believe you’ve never had cranberry sauce!! I live in cranberry country so it’s hard for me to fathom. Fresh berries are the only way to go. I will have to try this recipe! As for what I NEVER eat on Thanksgiving – pumpkin pie. Ick.
Valerie Waters says:
November 16th 2009I never eat hotdogs. Well, actually I never, ever eat hotdogs but you didn’t specify traditional thanksgiving food.
I also skip the Brussel sprouts which my dad insists on making every year.
Rachel says:
November 16th 2009I was never into the cranberry sauce before, but that’s because I’ve been getting served the canned stuff! Last year I had amazing cranberry orange sauce and it was one of my fave parts of the meal.
I don’t eat pie crust on Thanksgiving! I’m not a huge pie person anyway, but I REALLY don’t like pie crust. It always makes me feel kind of…yuck. Plus it’s where all the fat/calories is. I might dig out the pecans/pumpkin/apple/whatever, but I just leave the crust behind!
Brynne says:
November 16th 2009I never eat .. nothing! I have a taste of everything on Thanksgiving!
Carrie Sola says:
November 16th 2009What is it that I never eat on Thanksgiving? Hummmmmm…. I never eat the jello salad. Ever!
Amisha says:
November 16th 2009I never eat turkey! I’m a vegetarian.
Marisa (Trim The Fat) says:
November 16th 2009Mmmm…that looks like a good combo!
I never eat green bean casserole – you know the one with the cream of yuck soup and can of fried weirdness on top? Yeah, um, no thanks!
Allison says:
November 16th 2009I don’t eat turkey at Thanksgiving! I’ve never been a fan, and always stick to the couuuntless veggie dishes…which do a great job at filling me up! Ahh, your recipe reminds me of how much I LOVE Thanksgiving cranberry sauce :)
Meg says:
November 16th 2009Green bean casserole – Yuck!!
Thanks so much for this recipe! I am in love with Stoneyfield Farms Greek Yogurt and I ADORE cranberries so I am trying this tomorrow!
ali says:
November 16th 2009i dont eat the turkey or the stuffing or the green beans or the jello or the deviled eggs or the apple pie or the nans yams (okay sometimes i pick the “chocolate” off the top =]) but i live for the pumpkin cheesecake!!
Joanna Sutter says:
November 16th 2009Al…what about the crazy orange salad?! ;-)
Brett says:
November 16th 2009To make sure I never REALLY overindulge, I never eat second helpings. Of course, this doesn’t take too much willpower due to loopholes like:
1) I pile my first serving plate super high so I don’t need seconds
2) Dessert plate isn’t a second helping, it’s a first helping on a second plate :)
FatFighterTV says:
November 17th 2009No need to enter me (I think I missed the deadline anyway) but I just wanted to say that I NEVER eat sweet potatoes. Am I the only person who does not like them???
Oikos Winner! | Fitness & Spice says:
November 17th 2009[...] loved reading what’s not on your plates for Thanksgiving dinner. Turkey and hot dogs(!) are not on my plate on Thanksgiving either. In fact, typically the only [...]
JESSICA says:
November 18th 2009Turkey. i am a veg head and totally adore all the other side dishes. Hope to win some yummy yogurt.
Food Fascination says:
November 18th 2009I need to make these cranberries for Thanksgiving. My uncle is diabetic and he will REALLY appreciate this, so will I.