Cranberry

This bread is a delicious holiday treat.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Serve with: Roast turkey, ham, or chicken. Combine with: Crackers that have been spread with cream cheese or goat cheese. Use as: A sandwich spread.

This southern version of the holiday cranberry sauce includes peaches, one of the region's favorite fruits.

Fresh cranberries are usually sold only from November through January. So freeze a few extra bags to make this anytime.

Cape Cod's cranberry bogs — which supply the crowning glory of countless holiday desserts — provided the inspiration for this festive and luscious cheesecake. Chocolate wafer cookies (used in the crust) are sometimes located in the ice cream section, displayed above the freezer case.

Doris Murphy of Pompano Beach, Florida, writes: "When I was raising my children, the dishes I made were definitely home style to suit everyone's tastes; but even without the demands of feeding a family, I still prefer simpler recipes. Nevertheless, I notice that most of my kids are pretty adventurous cooks. Maybe they did get some of that creativity from me; when I recall the potato-meat-and-vegetable meals my mother served, I realize that I did branch out a bit."

Here, leftover cranberry sauce (or canned cranberry sauce) and boneless pork chops make a very contemporary little supper. Freshen up any leftover mashed white or sweet potatoes by stirring in chopped lemon and orange peel. A salad of bitter greens tossed with a cider vinaigrette, and a simple dessert of grape clusters and spiced bar cookies round things out.

Vibrant berry flavor and a buttery crust accented with grated orange peel are the hallmarks of this outstanding pie.

From the Williamsburg Inn's Regency Room.

Baked yams and steamed spinach make colorful accompaniments. Ice cream alongside hot apple turnovers tops off the meal.

In this recipe there will be extra mousse and pecan crisps (the recipes will not work if reduced). Both elements are delicious on their own.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Surprise — a bit of ketchup helps the sweet and tart flavors blend. Make this up to three days ahead.

Raisins or dried cranberries could easily stand in for the dried tart cherries.