Description
This Cherry Cranberry Relish with Jello is a refreshing and vibrant holiday side dish combining tart cranberries and sweet cherry Jello, enhanced with fresh orange, crunchy nuts, and crisp celery. Perfectly chilled and set, it offers a delightful balance of flavors and textures, ideal for festive gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Liquid Base
- 6 oz Cherry Jello
- 2 cups boiling water
Relish Ingredients
- 12 oz cranberries (fresh or thawed)
- 1 medium orange, zest and segments
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 stalks celery, chopped
- 1/2 cup pecans
- 1/2 cup walnuts
Instructions
- Dissolve Jello: In a glass 8×8-inch pan, dissolve the cherry jello powder into 2 cups of boiling water, stirring continuously until the mixture is clear and fully dissolved.
- Prepare Relish: In a food processor, pulse the cranberries, orange segments, orange zest, sugar, chopped celery, pecans, and walnuts until the mixture is finely chopped but retains a chunky texture.
- Combine: Pour the chopped relish mixture into the dissolved jello in the pan. Stir well to ensure the ingredients are evenly mixed.
- Chill: Cover the pan tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour. After this time, stir the jello mixture gently, cover again, and continue to refrigerate until fully set, about 2 more hours. Stir once more before serving to break up the set jello lightly.
Notes
- Use fresh or frozen cranberries thawed completely for best texture.
- Ensure the jello is completely dissolved in boiling water to avoid graininess.
- Chilling time is crucial for proper set; do not skip stirring midway to maintain texture.
- This relish can be made a day ahead and stored covered in the refrigerator.
- For a nut-free version, omit pecans and walnuts or substitute with seeds if preferred.
