Paula Deen's Lean: Stuffed Cranberry Sauce

If you are anything like me, there is nothing appealing about cranberry sauce from the can. It has never had a place in my heart...or my stomach for that matter. This past Thanksgiving, a few minutes from sitting down, my mother asked, "Linds, do you have any cranberries?" I could sense a little disappointment when I had to break the news to her that there would be no cranberry sauce. I just didn't buy any this year. It is one of those things that has always been on the table, yet no one eats it. However, as I learned the hard way, when it isn't there, it is missed.
So, in efforts to redeem myself, I didn't just do cranberries for Christmas. I went all out and gave my family the jazzed-up version of the canned cranberry! I present to you, Mrs. Hoggles Stuffed Cranberry Sauce.




STUFFED CRANBERRY SAUCE
Yields 6 Servings



INGREDIENTS


2 tablespoons Hellman's mayonnaise dressing

1 8-ounce FAT FREE cream cheese, softened

1 16-ounce jellied cranberry sauce, chilled

1/4 cup chopped pecans


DIRECTIONS



Mix cream cheese and mayonnaise until creamy. It needs to be spreadable. Add pecans and mix well.

Slice cranberry sauce in 1/4 inch rounds and spread cream cheese mixture on one round and place another round on top, sandwich style. Keep in fridge until time to serve.

RESULTS


It wasn't enough to turn every "non-cranberry sauce eater", but everyone that tried them was impressed. There is such a nice combination of tart from the cranberry, cream from the cheese and crunch from the pecans. It is actually quite a nice combination. Even though cranberry sauce is not a favorite, I had to try them because a cook always samples what they serve (just ask Chef Ramsey of Hell's Kitchen) and I am so glad that I did! I guess my taste buds have matured since swearing off cranberry sauce as a child.
For your next big holiday meal, I would strongly suggest throwing together this simple and delicious side. ENJOY!!

NUTRITION FACTS (per serving): 193.17 calories;  3.78g fat;  33.56g carbohydrate;  5.99g protein;  1.27g fiber