Mandarin Orange Cranberry Salad

Mandarin Orange Cranberry Salad

*
Note: Cranberries need to marinade (in a bowl) the sugar and lemon juice 6-8 hours or overnight

*
*1 (12 ounce) package Fresh Cranberries, rinsed, dried and chopped in the food processor
*1 1/4 cups Sugar
*Juice from 1/2 Lemon
*2 (8 ounce) containers Cool Whip, thawed in fridge
*1 (24 ounce) low-fat Cottage Cheese
*1 (6 ounce) package Raspberry or Cranberry or Orange Jell-O
*1 to 2 (11 ounce) cans Mandarin Oranges, drained

*
Garnish with chopped cranberries and mandarin oranges if desired.

*
After the cranberries have marinated, place cranberries in strainer and remove as much liquid from the cranberries as possible. Now place cranberries in the center of a layered piece of cheese cloth or strong paper towels and again squeeze out as much juice as possible.

*
In a large bowl mix together the cool whip and Jell-o until incorporated. Then add the cottage cheese, chopped cranberries and mix together.

*
Cover bowl with plastic wrap or airtight container and refrigerate until ready to serve.