Tidbits

Berry good

Cranberry sauce is a holiday staple, and it’s even more festive when it’s made with cranberries from Maine. Bradshaw’s cranberry sauce and cranberry spread are tasty as a side for poultry, as a glaze for pork and ham, or simply slathered on a bagel with cream cheese. For ordering information, visit www.cranberriesfresh.com or call 726-5065.

Feeling shellfish?

For a simple, elegant start to a meal, Great Eastern Mussel Farms suggests Mussels with Spinach. To make, place 2 pounds mussels, 4 ounces white wine and 3 ounces water in a large pot with a lid. Cook over high heat until the mussels just open, about 5 minutes. Strain the cooking liquid through a fine sieve or cheesecloth and refrigerate. Open each mussel and discard the empty half. Arrange on an ovenproof platter and refrigerate. Cook 8 ounces fresh spinach in a pot with salted water for 2 minutes. Drain and rinse with cold water. Squeeze the spinach well to remove excess water. Melt 1 ounce butter in a pan, add 2 small shallots, chopped, and 2 garlic cloves, chopped, and cook over low heat for 2 minutes. Add 6 ounces heavy cream, salt, pepper and nutmeg to taste and simmer gently for 10 minutes. Chop the spinach, add to the sauce and cook for 2 more minutes. Remove the platter with the mussels from the refrigerator and spoon the sauce over the mussels. Sprinkle with 2 ounces grated Swiss cheese and place under a hot broiler for 3 to 4 minutes or until golden. Serve hot.

Smart cookies

Whether your holiday baking is as simple as sugar cookies or as intricate as a gingerbread castle, Tupperware’s Gourmet Decorator makes the decorating easier – just fill it with frosting and give it a squeeze. Or, you could just say to heck with baking and use it for deviled eggs or twice-baked potatoes. It comes with five decorating tips that can be stored inside the flexible plastic ball. It costs $16.99 and is available online at www.tupperware.com or at the Tupperware shops at the Bangor Mall and the Airport Mall in Bangor.

Tidbits is hungry for news about local food products and events. Send your Tidbits by mail to: Bangor Daily News, attn: Kristen Andresen, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor ME 04402-1329; by fax to 941-9476; or by e-mail to kandresen@bangordailynews.net.