Bite of the Best

From now through December, fresh cranberries are available — usually in the produce section — in 12-ounce plastic bags, which hold about 3 cups of cranberries.

• Select bags of mostly firm, plump, unblemished berries that are dark to light red in color. Avoid shriveled ones.
• Store fresh cranberries for up to two weeks in the refrigerator and up to one year in the freezer.
• Substitute frozen cranberries in most recipes calling for fresh.
• Wait until you’re ready to use cranberries before washing them.
• Cook fresh cranberries only until they “pop,” that is, until the outer skin expands and bursts.

I often recommend cranberries and cranberry juice for its many health properties, which include increasing the “good” cholesterol and warding off urinary tract infections. To get the many health benefits, you need to consume 8 ounces of cranberry juice cocktail, a quarter-cup of fresh cranberries or a third-cup of dried cranberries.

— bonnie