Tidbits

Inn style

Get a taste of Greenville during the town’s annual inn tour, followed by a Christmas in New England Dinner at Blair Hill Inn. The tour, which includes Blair Hill Inn, Canders House Bed and Breakfast, DKB’s (Di’s Kitchen and Beyond), Eveleth Crafts Sheridan Historical House, Evergreen Lodge, The Lodge at Moosehead Lake and The Sloper House, will take place from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, and will include snacks and beverages at each stop. The $5 tickets benefit projects at C.A. Dean Memorial Hospital and Nursing Home. Tickets are available at the hospital, the Chamber of Commerce and each of the participating inns. The dinner, which is a separate but related event, takes place from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 10. Cost is $35 per person, which includes a choice of roast beef or turkey at the Blair Hill Inn. For information or reservations, call 695-0224 or e-mail info@blairhillinn.com.

A fine wine every time

If a stop at your local wine store is a bit of a mystery, take along the new book, “American Gold Medal Wines,” a reference to help you match your price, variety and menu preferences. The book lists the top medal-winning wines in the United States. It costs $13.95 and is available at www.AmericanGoldMedalWines.com.

Take the cakes

Looking for an unusual dish for your next holiday party? Savor the season’s flavor with McCormick Spices’ recipe for Sage and Cranberry Crab Cakes. To prepare, mix 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1/4 cup dried cranberries, 1 1/2 teaspoons dried sage, 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a small bowl. Set aside. Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a small skillet over medium heat. Add 1/2 cup finely chopped celery and 1/4 cup finely chopped onion. Cook and stir 5 minutes or until tender. Cool slightly. Mix 1 pound fresh crabmeat, well drained, with 1 cup crumbled cornbread in a large bowl. Add 1 egg, lightly beaten, mayonnaise mixture, celery and onion. Toss gently to combine and form into 24 small crab cakes. Refrigerate 15 minutes. Melt 3 tablespoons of butter in large skillet over medium heat. Add crab cakes. Cook about 6 minutes or until brown, turning once. Serve.