Cranberry Jalapeno Spread on Cream Cheese

Here’s a beautiful appetizer with tons of flavor for any holiday party.

Cranberry Jalapeno Spread

1 cup dried cranberries
1 cup orange juice
1/2 cup diced red onion
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced
1/2 cup fresh lemon or lime juice
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
 1/8 teaspoon salt

Mix well and chill 24-48 hours to allow the dried cranberries time to plump.  There will be a lot of juice, but it will be all soaked up by the time you are ready to serve it.  Stir occasionally.   Serve on cream cheese as a spread for crackers, toast, or bruschetta.  You can use 2 packages of 8-ounce size cream cheese and divide the topping or else put it all on top of a 16-ounce block of cream cheese.  

I like this dip served on a plate by itself with a basket or bowl of crackers, or toast nearby.  If you surround the dip with crackers they get too soft and you don’t get to see the pretty color contrast between the cranberry spread and the cream cheese.

You could serve this on warm brie for a little more gourmet flair. It’s also good as a sandwich spread with turkey, chicken, pork or ham. It would be awesome with salmon too.