Friday, December 19, 2008

Jingle Jam

Jingle Jam is by far the most clever condiment I have found this holiday season. I absolutely love cranberries and I am always looking for a new way to prepare them. They are slowly but surely moving away from that awful memory we have of cranberry sauce that was dumped on a plate and still had the shape of the can. Cranberries are very versatile (savory and sweet) and go so well with holiday entrees, such as turkey and ham. What I didn't know is that they also have cancer-fighting ingredients.

Texas Oncology came up with Jingle Jam, a Southern-style preserve that combines healthful cranberries, citrus, and jalapenos, to help bring a few cancer-protective foods to the holiday table. Last year, they came out with Holiday Crunch, which was a tasty combination of other cancer-fighting ingredients such as nuts, cranberries, and dark chocolate. Delicious!

I love that Texas Oncology has made it so easy to help raise awareness about cancer prevention. My mother-in-law is a cancer survivor so we are always looking for opportunities to look after friends and family. Check out the Texas Oncology web site for a crafty recipe card, video demo on how to prepare Jingle Jam, and tips for other healthy holiday foods.

Texas Oncology also recommended a few creative ways to serve Jingle Jam that I will have to try. I would have never thought to use the jam as a glaze on steamed carrots, or spread on whole grain toast for breakfast, or dolloped atop goat cheese tartlets for an appetizer. I am in the process of creating my holiday menu and I am looking forward to incorporating Jingle Jam into my spread.

Chocolate con churros

Chocolate con churros are one of Spain´s greatest sweet treats. To be honest, I wasn´t a big fan at first. But now, I love them! They can be enjoyed any time of day but they are most popular at breakfast or a late night snack after a long night out.

Churros are made with a simple dough that is shaped into ridged sticks - perfect for dunking - and fried. In Mexico, they are dusted with cinnamon and sugar. In Madrid, there is no need for the extra sweetness because they are accompanied by a very, very thick hot chocolate.

The most famous place in Madrid for chocolate con churros is Chocolateria San Gines. It is a small cafe nestled in a tiny side street off the beaten path toward Puerta de Sol. While the cafe is filled with locals and tourists, it has an outstanding ambiance and great service. It is truly an authentic Spanish experience.