Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip

Here's a dip that works perfectly during the holiday season...a cranberry salsa paired with cream cheese and served on crackers.

Ingredients:

• 1 cups sugar
• 1/4 cup juice (juice of 1 orange)
• 3/4 cup water
• 3 cups cranberries, fresh or frozen
• 2 small jalapeno peppers, seeded and chopped
• 2 Tablespoons orange zest
• 1 tablespoon grated ginger root
• 3 tablespoons cilantro, chopped
• 2-8 oz. (250 gram) pkgs.cream cheese, softened

Method:

1. Combine sugar, orange juice and water in saucepan and bring to a boil.
2. Add cranberries, jalapenos, orange zest, ginger and cilantro.
3. Return to a boil and then reduce heat to simmer for about 8 minutes or until cranberries burst.
4. Cool to room temperature and then chill until ready to serve.
5. Spread a layer of cream cheese on serving platter...and top with cranberry salsa.
6. Sprinkle with additional chopped cilantro.
7. Serve with a platter of crackers.

Cranberry salsa can be prepared well ahead and stored in the fridge.