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This bright, fresh healthy Cranberry and Pomegranate Bruschetta makes a delightful appetizer but there are tons of other delicious ways to use the topping - check it out!
I heard a little birdie say you were looking for something exciting for your appetizer collection. If I was listening correctly, the fine-feathered friend said, you wanted something seasonal, festive, fabulously delicious and super easy to put together. You're not asking for much, are you? Nope .... not at all. Actually, your wish is my command. I've gotcha covered with this wonderful Cranberry and Pomegranate Bruschetta!
This bright, fresh appetizer is all that - and more! Besides being gorgeous as a bruschetta topping it's also fantastic spooned over a block of cream cheese or a log of goat cheese. Add a sprinkle of finely chopped fresh cilantro or parsley and you've got an offering that's pretty as a picture for all your holiday gatherings and get-togethers. Serve this with crisp crackers or (if you want to keep it light and lean), thickly sliced English cucumber - an amazingly festive presentation!
Oh, and if you're looking for a way to dress up every-day chicken this crimson relish will do the trick. Use it as a festive, healthy topping for grilled or pan-seared boneless chicken breasts or thighs. With fresh cranberries, pomegranate arils, honey, ginger, cilantro, orange zest and a splash of Sriracha, it's sweet, spicy and bursting with vibrant flavor.
One last idea, take ¼ cup of the cranberry-pom relish, add 2 tablespoons rice vinegar, a pinch of sea salt and a generous grind of fresh black pepper. Drizzle in 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil and now you've got a super delicious salad dressing that just screams "holidays"! Toss arugula, field greens or fresh spinach with a splash of the pretty dressing. Add a few orange slices and maybe a handful of toasted walnuts,voilá! A super salad everyone will be raving about!
P.S. Intimidated by pomegranates? I used to be - but no more! I discovered this wonderful technique for deseeding poms in less than a minute, NO FUSS, NO MESS, NO WATER!!
- For the cranberry-pomegranate relish:
- 1 pound fresh or frozen cranberries, washed
- 2 teaspoons chopped fresh ginger don't worry about chopping it too fine at this point
- 1 cup sugar
- ¼ cup honey
- 2 teaspoons Sriracha sauce
- ½ cup roughly chopped fresh cilantro
- zest from one orange reserve a bit for garnish
- ¾-1 cup pomegranate arils or seeds* reserve a few for garnish
- finely chopped fresh cilantro or parsley for garnish
- For the crostini:
- 1 thin good quality baguette, sliced about ¼ inch thick
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
- kosher salt
- freshly ground black pepper
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened (I always use the lower fat, not no-fat)
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Place the cranberries, ginger, sugar, honey and Sriracha in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse on and off several times till cranberries are coarsely chopped. Don't process too much.
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Add cilantro and pulse a few more times. Not too much, you want cilantro bits to be visible and mixture to be a bit chunky.
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Transfer to a storage container and add pomegranate arils* and orange zest. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours or till ready to use.
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For the crostini, preheat oven to 350˚F. Line 2 sheet pans with foil or parchment paper, if desired for easy clean up.
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Place baguette slices on prepared pans. Brush lightly with oil. Sprinkle lightly with salt and a grind of pepper.
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Bake for 14-18 minutes or until golden, rotating pans halfway through baking time.
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To assemble bruschetta, whisk cream cheese until creamy. Spread about ½-1 tablespoon on each crostini. Top with a scoop of the relish. Garnish with a bit of orange zest, if desired.
You should get about 50-60 crostini. If you don't use them all, store in an airtight container. They can also be frozen and warmed for just a few minutes before serving.
* If you avoid pomegranates or are intimated by them because they're a pain to de-seed, BE SURE to check out this step by step tutorial: How to de-seed a pomegranate with NO FUSS, NO MESS, NO WATER, in less than a minute! It's quite life changing ............ at least when it comes to us pom lovers! 🙂
Georgia | The Comfort of Cooking says
Love these easy, elegant winter bruschetta with a kick, Chris! Happy holidays!
Sophia Del Gigante says
What a BEAUTIFUL idea for a holiday style brushetta! YUMMMMM!
Madonna/aka/Ms Lemon of Make Mine Lemon says
I still have arils in my freezer. This looks like a great use.
Sam Hoffer @ My Carolina Kitchen says
Love this. It really kicks cranberries up a notch with a bit of heat. This would be perfect for an appetizer to a grand dinner party.
Sam
Jeanette | Jeanette's Healthy Living says
These are like a party in the mouth - I can just imagine the spicy sweet flavors and pomegranate seeds popping all at once!
Lenia says
They are so pretty and festive!A different and tasty bruscetta!
Blessings,dear!
Karen (Back Road Journal) says
What a festive little appetizer…perfect for the holidays as it is so quick to put together.
Claire @ Claire K Creations says
Chris this is so festive! We have our first ever street Christmas party this weekend and have to bring something. I may have found my recipe!
Beth says
What a gorgeous variation on bruschetta! It's perfect for the season.
Looking forward to reading your quotes over the next two weeks.
Gloria Baker says
love your bruschetta look beautiful and delicious Chris!!
Kathy says
This does sound fabulous, and looks so festive and pretty!
Lynn@Happier Than a Pig in Mud says
Very pretty Chris:@)
Pamela @ Brooklyn Farm Girl says
With the colors these would be perfect for the holidays!
La Table De Nana says
Oh how wonderful!
I caved in and bought that Pom deseerder contarption ..now I am mess free at last..
Love this!
Hovkonditorn says
Beautiful colors, flavours and pictures!
Jennifer @ Peanut Butter and Peppers says
Ohhhh, this looks so good and I love how you snuck sriracha in it! Yum! These are just beautiful!!
Pam says
Yum and bookmarked. Need I say more?
Sandra Garth says
Thank you for sharing the quote, it's the perfect reminder of what this season is about. When you said you had us covered you were not kidding! This looks like edible jewelry.
The Mom Chef says
I love this! Not only is it festive, but it's so fresh and bright. I agree with you too, I sometimes find myself getting caught up in the frenetic pace of the holiday and lose what Chrismas is really about.
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
So pretty, Chris! Love this festive appetizer idea!
Vicki Bensinger says
This bruschetta is so festive looking that I'd almost hate to take a bite - although I'm pretty sure I wouldn't be able to resist. Beautiful recipe!
Julia | JuliasAlbum.com says
Love the combination of Holiday winter ingredients here! This bruschetta will be so welcome in my house! Pinned!
Angie Schneider says
Chris, these bruschetta look too good to miss in life. Love the festive cranberry topping!
Wendy says
These cranberry pomegranate brushetta look luscious! Fresh, fruity, and light.My problem with bruschetta, is that I love it so much that I eat too much appetizer and don't have room for whatever comes after! I am better off sticking with a tapas type menu (these are perfect for that) where I can nibble to my hearts content. 🙂 Enjoy your holidays, Chris!
Denise Browning@From Brazil To You says
A simple yet quite tasty starter! And the festive colors are gorgeous, Chris...Wishing you a very Merry Christmas!