Description
This Cherry Cranberry Relish with Jello is a vibrant, tangy, and sweet holiday side dish that combines the tartness of fresh cranberries and bright orange with the smooth texture of cherry Jello. Enhanced with crunchy celery and mixed nuts, it’s a perfect colorful accompaniment for festive meals, requiring no cooking and minimal preparation time aside from chilling.
Ingredients
Scale
Gelatin Base
- 6 oz Cherry Jello
- 2 cups boiling water
Relish Ingredients
- 12 oz fresh or thawed cranberries
- 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 6 ounces of cherry Jello in 2 cups of boiling water. Stir continuously until the Jello is completely dissolved and the liquid is clear.
- Prepare Relish: Using a food processor, pulse 12 ounces of cranberries, the zest and segments of one medium orange, 1 cup sugar, 2 chopped celery stalks, 1/2 cup pecans, and 1/2 cup walnuts. Process until the mixture is finely chopped but still chunky to retain texture.
- Combine: Pour the chopped relish mixture into the warm liquid Jello in the pan. Stir thoroughly to ensure that the relish ingredients are evenly distributed within the gelatin liquid.
- Chill: Cover the pan with plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator. After 1 hour, remove and stir the Jello mixture to redistribute any settling ingredients. Cover again and refrigerate until fully set, approximately an additional 2 hours. Stir once more before serving to enhance texture.
Notes
- Use fresh or properly thawed cranberries for best texture and flavor.
- Stirring during chilling helps maintain an even consistency and prevent fruit from sinking.
- Can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- For nut allergies, omit nuts or substitute with seeds such as pumpkin or sunflower seeds.
- Adjust sugar based on personal sweetness preference or use a sugar substitute for a lower sugar version.
